The death of a two Kaikoura sperm whales in a month has been met with concern by those who know the animals.
Department of Conservation staff were advised of a dead whale off-shore from Kaikoura which they located on July, 21.
A series of buoys was attached to the animal, but it was not possible to tow it to shore due to sea conditions.
The find comes as another whale was also found dead on Marfells Beach in early July.
Otago University and Whale Watch Kaikoura staff have confirmed the whales were members of the Kaikoura canyon population.
DOC South Marlborough Operations Manager Phil Bradfield said the sad loss of these known animals is important to the Kaikoura area, which is struggling back to its feet after a hugely destructive earthquake.
"These whales underpin a significant part of the local economy but their loss will be especially felt by Ngāi Tahu and their hapu; Ngāti Kurī, who have a deep and profound attachment to whales," Mr Bradfield says.
The stomach contents of the Marfells Beach whale were examined and found to be normal with no plastics or blockages.
Despite testing it's highly likely the cause of death will never be known according to DOC.
The DOC marine mammal incidents database has 14 previous records of sperm whale deaths on the same stretch of coastline from 2009-1978, the majority of which occurred before 2000.
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