Dead dolphin on beach

Te Waewae Bay: A dead adult Hector’s dolphin was discovered at Te Waewae Bay in Southland at the weekend. The adult female dolphin was found by a member of the public on Saturday.

Doc staff sent the body to Massey University for examination.

It was the 15th Hector’s dolphin found dead around the South Island since early November .

Eight of the recent deaths were calves. Thirteen of the dolphins found since November last year have been sent to Massey University. From the eight necropsies done, it was determined the deaths were due to a mix of natural causes.

There are about 15,700 Hector’s dolphins around the South Island.