Dead dolphin floating in harbour

Photo: BEN WATSON

FLY-RIDDEN: The dead dolphin was waiting to be recovered by DOC staff from Northcote Pt on Monday.

Photo: BEN WATSON

DOLPHIN DEATH: Wrapped in a sheet and left by the water.

Relevant offers

Mystery surrounds the death of a common dolphin found at Northcote Pt before sunset on Sunday.

Conservation Department marine ranger Martin Stanley says the dolphin was picked up by staff at The Wharf event centre.

They found it floating in the harbour and contacted the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry who in turn contacted DOC.

The dolphin was fly-ridden and wrapped up in a sheet on the side of the harbour on Monday.

DOC was due to recover the dolphin at lunchtime yesterday.

Mr Stanley has confirmed the species as a common dolphin about 1.5 metres long.

He says it will be taken to Massey University for a thorough examination.

Until then he is unable to comment on how the dolphin died.

He says the examination will also provide answers on whether it was wounded and if any wounds were inflicted before it died or while floating in the harbour.

- © Fairfax NZ News