Date:  30 January 2015

Recent high tides and heavy seas resulted in Department of Conservation staff having to rebury a number of whales on Ohope Beach yesterday.

The whales were some of those which became stranded in early November but, due to erosion of the dunes system, had reappeared on the beach.

Ngati Awa kaumatua Pouroto Ngaropo offers karakia to the support the reburial process

Conservation services senior ranger Greg Moorcroft said heavy machinery was used to dig a new hole a significant distance from the beach and the whales which had come to the surface, along with those still buried, were placed in it.

Ngati Awa kaumatua Pouroto Ngaropo offered an appropriate karakia during the process.

Mr Moorcroft said it was highly unlikely the whales would reappear, but reminded the public it was important to report any whales found on shore to the DOC hotline, 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

Due to their rapid decomposition out of the water, deceased whales present significant health hazards so it's important they are buried or otherwise disposed of promptly.

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