Decapitated dolphin found on Pauanui beach as DOC seeks information
The New Zealand Department of Conservation is investigating the discovery of a decapitated dolphin on a beach in Pauanui. Officials are seeking public information to identify those responsible for the act, which violates the Marine Mammals Act 1978.
Why it matters
The incident involves the illegal harm of a protected species, prompting a criminal investigation into wildlife crime.
A decapitated dolphin has been found on a Coromandel beach, the Department of Conservation says.
DOC staff are appealing to the public for information about what happened to the marine mammal.
DOC principal investigation officer Hayden Loper said its 0800 DOC HOT line received two calls about the animal remains found on the beach at Pauanui on Monday.
A DOC media release today said although the animal had begun to decompose, their initial assessment suggested its head had been removed with a tool or implement.
It’s thought the decapitation occurred before the animal washed up on the beach.
DOC’s marine scientists believed the animal could be a bottlenose dolphin – a species fully protected under the Marine Mammals Act 1978.
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