\u201cWe would like to thank the public for being respectful and listening to the staff onsite.\u201d<\/p>\n
The orca were able to make their way out of the estaury by late morning. Photo \/ Aleisha Baty<\/p>\n
Orca Research Trust, a non-profit founded by prominent marine biologist Dr Ingrid Visser, said it had received a number of enquiries about the orca sightings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis zone is comprised of a complex series of shallow channels and sand banks,\u201c Visser said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt lies between two sets of bridges and the orca have already passed under one bridge.\u201d<\/p>\n
With orca commonly spotted in and around New Zealand waters, Visser urged people to pay notice to what are considered offences under the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992.<\/p>\n
She said it was imperative that people remember the law \u2013 that they can\u2019t swim with the orca, nor approach them closer than 50m.<\/p>\n
Visser confirmed the orca were previously known to them and regularly entered estuarine waters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first time they have been documented in Pandora Pond and that is exciting, but also concerning,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey must be given space and no pressure so that they can safely exit the area when they are ready to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pandora Pond is a popular swimming spot in the Ahuriri Estuary, west of central Napier, although it\u2019s often closed due to water contamination.<\/p>\n
In April, a herd of cows were spotted paddling in its shallow waters by a local while he was running the tracks around Ahuriri.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never seen it before. It was low tide and they were only about half a KM upstream in the estuary,\u201d David, who didn\u2019t share his surname, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnimals are not supposed to be in the water. I was a bit shocked, especially at how many there were.\u201d<\/p>\n
The herd were identified as belonging to P\u0101mu Landcorp Farming, which said the cows had made their way into the estuary by breaking the gate in a neighbouring paddock.<\/p>\n
Tom Rose is an Auckland-based journalist who covers breaking news, specialising in lifestyle, entertainment and travel. He joined the Herald in 2023.<\/p>\n