A huge pygmy blue whale, measuring over 20 metres, washed up dead on a West Coast beach yesterday.
According to Project Jonah New Zealand, the marine mammal was found beachcast at Carters Beach near Westport.
It said the whale measured 21.7 metres in length and was estimated to weigh around 20 tonnes.
Its cause of death was unknown, and tissue samples have been taken for future research.
Photographer Ali Parish was at the beach to take photos of the animal, saying she "couldn't help but shed a tear".
"Seeing one up close is an incredibly rare experience," she said on Facebook. "Such a magnificent and gentle giant of the ocean, lying helpless on the beach, it was a heartbreaking sight."
Project Jonah said the Department of Conservation was working with local iwi to observe tikanga and determine the next steps for the whale.
"This is a significant animal and a sobering reminder of the incredible marine life found in New Zealand's waters," the organisation said.
Pygmy blue whales are a slightly smaller subspecies of true blue whales, the largest living animal on Earth. While they are only a few metres shorter, true blue whales are much heavier.
Despite what their name suggests, pygmy blue whales can reach up to 24 metres in length.
They can be found in oceans around the world. According to researchers in the US, New Zealand has its own "genetically distinct" population of more than 700 blue whales.
DOC said blue whales can be found around New Zealand and beyond, the south Taranaki Bight a "significant feeding ground".
Pygmy blue whales are solitary creatures, and typically swim alone – aside from mothers who are accompanied by their calves.
The whales eat krill and other small fish, ingesting 1800 kilograms of food every day.
Like blue whales, their numbers were decimated by the whaling industry. Their biggest current threats include noise pollution, climate change, and ship strike.
In New Zealand, it is an offence to disturb, harass, harm, injure or kill a whale, carrying a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment or a fine of $250,000.
Marine mammal strandings can be reported to DOC's emergency hotline.
SHARE ME