{"id":19084,"date":"2025-09-13T01:16:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T01:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/19084\/"},"modified":"2025-09-13T01:16:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T01:16:09","slug":"hunt-for-culprits-behind-grisly-act-on-remote-beach-completely-unacceptable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/19084\/","title":{"rendered":"Hunt for culprits behind ‘grisly act’ on remote beach: ‘Completely unacceptable’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Authorities are trying to solve the mystery of who stole the head of a dolphin<\/a> from a remote beach on New Zealand\u2019s chilly South Island.<\/p>\n

Department of Conservation marine ranger Zac Penman explained a member of the public reported the dead animal to authorities. \u201cIt appears to be a dusky dolphin thought to have washed up naturally before someone took its head,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

An image obtained by Yahoo News of the dead animal shows its headless, bloated body lying on a rocky beach near Kaik\u014dura, north of Christchurch. A rock with a flower painted on it lying next to the dolphin is believed to be unrelated.<\/p>\n

The Kaik\u014dura region is a celebrated hotspot for marine life, including sperm whales that swim close to shore, seals, and several species of dolphin. And tourists visiting the region have been warned to “follow the rules” and refrain from stealing from its beaches.<\/p>\n

New Zealand rocked by multiple wildlife body part thefts<\/p>\n

In New Zealand, it is illegal to take or possess marine mammal body parts without a permit. Authorities have described the theft of the dolphin\u2019s head as \u201ccompletely unacceptable\u201d, labelling it a \u201cgrisly act\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not acceptable for people to interfere with protected wildlife, and it\u2019s illegal to remove a protected species\u2019 head,\u201d Penman said.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not the first time the head of a marine mammal has been stolen on the South Island. In May last year, brazen thieves used a chainsaw to remove the jaw <\/a>of a sperm whale at Oreti Beach on the far south coast.<\/p>\n

On the North Island, it\u2019s dead seals that have been plundered for their bones. Two were found without heads at Muriwai on the west coast in June. Yahoo News does not suggest these incidents are related.<\/p>\n

Love Australia’s weird and wonderful environment? \ud83d\udc0a\ud83e\udd98\ud83d\ude33 Get our new newsletter<\/a> showcasing the week\u2019s best stories.<\/p>\n

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