Sperm whale to be left to decompose
Sunday, 14 August 2022
The 17-metre adult male sperm whale that was found dead on a Nelson beach on Wednesday is to be left to decompose naturally in the tidal zone, the Department of Conservation says.
The whale, which will be tethered where it was found, is about two kilometres away from the area of the beach which is most commonly frequented by the public.
It is thought to have died of natural causes.
DOC Motueka Operations Manager Chris Golding said rangers would regularly check the whale to monitor its decomposition.
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This process is the same as what was previously done with an 18-metre long sperm whale that beached on Moturoa/Rabbit Island in December 2016.
Three sperm whales that beached in Golden Bay in 2014 were similarly tethered off Farewell Spit to decompose naturally to bone, and this method was also used for other dead whales that stranded in Golden Bay.
Te Tauihu iwi representatives blessed the whale with a karakia on Wednesday and on Thursday removed its jawbone for cultural purposes under DOC protocols with iwi for the management of dead beached whales.
Iwi regard sperm whale jawbone as a taonga.
DOC advised the public to stay clear of the whale and the area around it and not to touch its decomposing body for health reasons.
“People should not remove any parts of its body as it is an offence to do so without a permit under the Marine Mammals Protection Act.”