A male orca which died after it became stranded in the Tauranga Harbour has been attacked by someone trying to steal its teeth.
Moby, who is about 50 years old, was initially found by a local resident who called Department of Conservation.
Tauranga-based Department of Conservation biodiversity ranger, Karl McCarthy says he was buried at an undisclosed location three days later.
'We have recently discovered someone with a knife has tried to take his teeth, which is not only disappointing, but illegal.
'Because Moby was found in a remote location, we do not have any leads to launch an investigation unless someone comes forward with information,” he says.
To protect Moby's remains the location where they are buried is not being disclosed, says Karl.
'It is also a site of cultural significance.”
7 comments
everywhere
Posted on 23-12-2017 16:01 | By Captain Sensible
Everywhere is "culturally significant".
Oh come on!
Posted on 23-12-2017 16:20 | By GreertonBoy
First of all, why bury a dead large sea creature? Sea carrion belongs in the sea, not buried on land? Drag it out to sea so the other sea creatures who live on other dead creatures can devour it as nature does. Why were scientists not given access to it before it was buried? Second, so what if someone wants a dead sea creatures teeth? I once in the 70's I found a dead shark on a sand bar near the airport and went to my car and got some pliers and yanked out a couple of teeth.... still have them... what is the big deal? Was that wrong? Was that 'cruelty to dead animals'? If someone is game enough to get that close to a stinky carcass, good on them, I can still remember the smell
what
Posted on 23-12-2017 16:41 | By Capt_Kaveman
hype over nothing cultural significance, its a dead orca plain simple and no one owns it
Two faced
Posted on 23-12-2017 17:51 | By Told you
I think we know what type of person did this.
Interesting
Posted on 23-12-2017 18:09 | By overit
Has to be a local. He was buried on Matakana Island if I remember rightly.
So, who is
Posted on 23-12-2017 22:53 | By The Caveman
Most likely to want the teeth ???
Cludo
Posted on 26-12-2017 10:14 | By waiknot
Buried the n an undisclosed location. Theres a clue who knew the location?
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