People are being warned to stay away from a whale’s rotting carcass off Dunedin because of potential risks from bacteria and sharks.
The 9.7m juvenile humpback whale was first spotted off the coast of Warrington two weeks ago and was found washed up off Omimi last week.
Department of Conservation (Doc) biodiversity warden Jim Fyfe said the whale poses health risks to humans.
Whales were mammals that carried bacteria and diseases that could be transmitted to humans.
Swimmers and surfers in the area should be aware that the whale could lead to an increase in sharks in the wider area, such as Warrington Beach.
He also asked people to stay away to respect the privacy of neighboring landowners.
The most direct access to the beach was on private land and the landowners were unable to accommodate people who wanted access to see the whale.
The site was difficult to access by land and water and it was impractical to remove or bury the carcass.
It was thought the whale could wash back into the sea this week with the heavy swell, but now it would likely remain on the beach for several months as it disintegrated.
Doc would team up with the local, Kati Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki, to monitor the whale’s decomposition.
Staff would also meet with the Warrington Surf Life Saving Club to discuss risk assessment when planning events ahead of the summer.
A DNA sample was taken from the whale and the cause of death was still unknown.
Humpback whales could be seen off the coast of Otago as they migrated north from the cold Antarctic waters between May and July, but it was unusual for them to wash ashore, Mr Fyfe said.