Conservation groups are attempting to guide a pod of orca in a Wellington inlet out to sea.
The seven orca were spotted in the inlet at Pauatahanui at the weekend. The Pod made its way there chasing stingrays.
Department of Conservation (DoC) marine species manager Ian Argus says the pod is at risk of stranding.
"We have concerns, in particular, for the wellbeing of the large male orca as its dorsal fin is drooping which is a sign it may be stressed."
Argus said DoC, Ngāti Toa iwi and environmental group Project Jonah are using five boats in an attempt to gently shepherd the pod - a technique successfully used in the past.
But Argus said the shepherding may not work straight away and could take a few attempts.
"This isn't an action we often take but, given our concern about the wellbeing of the orca and the risk the orca could strand, we have decided on balance we should try this intervention in the interests of their welfare and safety."
Experts say the pod could be relatives of baby Toa, an orca that became stranded on rocks near Plimmerton, north of Wellington last month. He later died after an ongoing operation to care for the calf.
