The operation involving an orca calf found alone in Tauranga Harbour did not fit within Department of Conservation's protocols.

'Situations such as this one are unique and do not necessarily fit within DOC prescribed operations protocols, so have to be considered on a case-by-case basis if they arise,” says Helen Neale, acting DOC Tauranga/Rotorua operations manager.

The orca calf known as Tiger, Bob and Tama.

Helen was responding to question from SunLive concerning the operation involving the calf, which died on Saturday morning.

Known by a number of nicknames including Tiger (for his markings), Bob and Tama, the calf had been alone in the harbour for at least 21 days.

Then a team of international orca experts, led by Dr Ingrid Visser of New Zealand's Orca Research Trust and fellow international orca expert Jeff Foster, took the orca from the harbour and placed him in a shore-based pool for care.

Most of operation costs, estimated to be at least $30,000, including bringing additional international orca experts to New Zealand to assist, have been met by Ingrid's trust.

Asked what costs have been or will be met by DOC Helen says; 'the costs of the operation have not been collated fully at this point”.

Because of the emphasis on safety concerns in DOC press releases regarding the orca operation, including one statement that: 'DOC's primary focus remains the safety of responders and the public. We've been diligent to address any safety concerns associated with managing the orca's welfare. This is an unprecedented situation given the age of the calf”.

SunLive also asked if the new health and safety legislation impacted on the speed with which this operation could proceed.

'The new HSE legislation did not put any significant hurdles up in terms of speed of response,” says Helen.

When asked what has been learned from the operation Helen says; 'a full debrief has not yet occurred so it is too early to say what has been learned.

'We can provide fuller information in due course once the debrief and other matters have been dealt with,” she says.