A sperm whale has died after becoming stranded at a Christchurch beach overnight, according to environmental organisation Project Jonah.
The whale was reported stranded just after 5pm on Saturday on South New Brighton Beach, with a volunteer medic onsite within six minutes.
Project Jonah said local iwi are onsite giving a karakia and working with the Department of Conservation (DoC) to move the whale.
"Our medics will also be onsite to assist. Thank you to everyone who reached out with offers to help," Project Jonah said in a Facebook post on Sunday morning.
Project Jonah said large whales pose a huge logistical challenge to refloat due to their size and weight.
"Often they have underlying health conditions which is likely the reason for them stranding," Project Jonah said.
There have only been four successful refloats of sperm whales in New Zealand, according to Project Jonah, with the last one being in Timaru in 2020.
"This is the fifth sperm whale that has died in the last month with three stranding in Northland and one in Mahia," Project Jonah said.
Whale or dolphin strandings can be reported to the DoC emergency hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or 0800 4 WHALE (Project Jonah).
