An orca whale stranded on a beach in Taranaki has died, despite efforts to rescue her.
(Photo: Facebook/Robert N Verna Bourke)
Department of Conservation (DoC) staff and volunteers kept the female whale wet overnight, but had to abandon attempts to refloat her because of dangerous sea conditions.
The animal died some time during the morning, a DOC spokeswoman says.
Samples would be taken and the whale would be buried, she said.
The orca beached at Patea around 5pm yesterday.
Newshub.
