Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 11 September 2025
DOC Kaikōura Marine Reserves Ranger Zac Penman says it’s illegal to injure, kill, or take parts of a marine mammal and the grisly act is completely unacceptable.
“The dolphin was found by a member of the public and reported to DOC on 24 August,” Zac says.
“It appears to be a dusky dolphin thought to have washed up naturally before someone took its head.”
The Marine Mammals Protection Act clearly states it is illegal to take any part of a marine mammal.
“We want to find out what happened and are appealing for anyone who knows about this to contact DOC and share the information they have,” Zac says.
Anyone with information on the decapitated dolphin is asked to call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or email wildlifecrime@doc.govt.nz with the reference number CLE-9721. Any information received will be kept strictly confidential.
“It’s not acceptable for people to interfere with protected wildlife, and it’s illegal to remove a protected species’ head,” Zac says.
“Without a permit it’s an offence to take and be in possession of any part of a marine mammal. The exception to this is if part of a marine mammal (such as a jawbone) has separated naturally from its body. If that occurs, the finder must notify DOC of the time, place and circumstances under which the find was made.
“Kaikōura is renowned for its marine life which gets visitors naturing through amazing wildlife watching opportunities. Countless dolphins, seals, whales and other marine animals count on us to do our part and follow the rules.”
DOC protects and nurtures more than a third of New Zealand’s landscape, vast marine areas, and thousands of endangered species – a role guided by key laws like the Conservation Act, Wildlife Act, Marine Mammals Protection Act, and National Parks Act. These legal frameworks ensure our unique biodiversity is properly safeguarded.
When people or organisations don’t follow the rules, it threatens our special places and native wildlife. DOC takes these responsibilities very seriously and has a range of enforcement tools to hold rule-breakers to account.
However, DOC can’t be everywhere, so public eyes and ears make a real difference. DOC staff continually urge the public to help protect nature by reporting unlawful activity through 0800 DOC HOT.
It’s not the only instance of decapitated marine mammals being reported this year. Two headless kekeno/fur seals were reported on Muriwai Beach, Auckland, in early June.
NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE
Nature isn’t scenery. Nature is a society that we rely on for everything, every day. It’s behind our identity and our way of life.
Contact
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
