Young orca removed from Ōrewa Beach in Auckland’s north after washed up on shore

A juvenile female orca that washed up and died on the shores of Auckland’s Ōrewa Beach has been removed and is to undergo a necropsy at a specialist university cetacean unit.

Department of Conservation (DoC) told the Herald it is working with Massey University to determine what occurred to the animal.

DoC Auckland biodiversity ranger Nikki Grist said local iwi Ngāti Manuhiri and the Cetacean Pathology Unit at Massey University were informed by a DoC staff member who was walking on the beach at the time.

“A karakia was performed and appropriate protocols were followed in moving the remains.

“The remains were taken to Massey University for a necropsy to try and determine the cause of death.

“DOC appreciates the support from Ngāti Manuhiri, local police and the community at the beach this morning.”

The orca became stranded opposite Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club. Photo / Supplied

It’s estimated the orca was 3 to 6 months old and was approximately 2m long.

A local man, Arnaud Cordebar, was on his daily morning walk when he spotted the mammal opposite Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club just before sunrise.

“I noticed a shape in the water ahead of me. It was still dark and I initially thought it was a fallen tree branch.

“As I got closer, I saw two men who had gone for an early swim – they had spotted the animal and jumped in to help.

“I went in to assist them but, sadly, it was already dead by the time we reached it.

“[It was] truly heartbreaking to witness.”

Cordebar said he contacted DoC straight away.

The incident has already gained traction, with a flurry of people coming forward on social media to express their condolences.

Project Jonah said it was aware of the death but was not involved as the orca had already died.

A Conservation Department ranger was at the scene, the Project Jonah spokesperson said.

In March, a rare male Shepherd’s beaked whale was stranded against rocks out from Auckland’s St Heliers Bay.

One person waited in the water for an hour in an effort to free the gentle giant. Project Jonah and DoC worked together and successfully freed it, several hours later.

A shepherd's beaked whale was stranded by St Heliers Bay, in Auckland's Waitematā Harbour. Photo / Richard Harri

It then reappeared a day later, 18km across the Waitematā Harbour at Hobsonville’s Scott Point, where it beached again and died.

The Shepherd's beaked whale re-beached and died at Hobsonville's Scott Point. Photo / Michael Craig