Home / Hawkes Bay Today3m whale washes up near campgroundBy Harrison ChristianHawkes Bay Today·24 May, 2015 08:30 PMQuick ReadSubscribe to listenAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Sign in hereListening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.SaveShareShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInRedditA 3m pygmy sperm whale found on Porongahau Beach yesterday was blessed by Raina (left) and Doc Ferris. Photo / SuppliedA 3m pygmy sperm whale found on Porongahau Beach yesterday was blessed by Raina (left) and Doc Ferris. Photo / SuppliedA whale washed up on Porongahau Beach in Southern Hawke's Bay yesterday.DoC marine ranger Rod Hansen said the 3m pygmy sperm whale was found dead about 200m from the local campground.It had likely died of natural causes. "Whales are a bit like humans, they have a fear of drowning," he said. "Often they come into shallow water so they can rest on the bottom." He said sickness may have drawn the whale into shore. It was not common to see this species close up.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME."We get the odd one every now and then. A few locals said it was the first whale of its kind they'd seen."The whale's body was blessed by local Iwi and moved by a digger up the beach, where it was buried.Local Maori resident Raina Ferris said her husband, Doc Ferris, did a karakia for the whale, and she and the ladies did a karanga.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME."That's how we honour the children of Tangaroa, who is the god of the sea," she said. "We believe animals are connected with us - they are our elders."Pygmy sperm whales are not often sighted at sea, and most data comes from stranded specimens.SaveShareShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInRedditLatest from Hawkes Bay TodayHawkes Bay TodayMotorist dies after four crashes in 40 minutes in Hawke's BayHawkes Bay Today'We have you surrounded': Police stood down after Hawke's Bay stand-off, search continuesPremiumHawkes Bay TodayBlack Ferns: Tui pair on the big bird for matches in South AfricaSponsoredSolar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night skyAdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Hawkes Bay Today'We have you surrounded': Police stood down after Hawke's Bay stand-off, search continues