Conservation groups aren't ruling out the possibility a pod of orca in a Wellington inlet could be the family of Toa, the infant orca that died after becoming stranded near Plimmerton in July.
Toa, a stranded baby orca, died in July despite rescuers' efforts. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
A pod of seven orca have been in the Pauatahnui Inlet this weekend, chasing stingray.
Marine biologist Ingrid Visser said it's proving hard to identify the pod.
"Toa's family was known to come into the Porirua Harbour prior to his stranding, so of course we have to be alert to the fact that it might be his family, and we can't rule it out until we get photo IDs, but at this stage nobody's got close to the orca because of the level 4 lockdown."
Visser said the pod seem to be enjoying the tranquillity of lockdown, with no boats on the water.
But Visser said the inlet is shallow and there is a chance they could strand.
Wellington District Police, @docgovtnz and Project Jonah are aware of a pod of orca in Wellington. Please do not get into your cars to drive to see them.
— Project Jonah (@ProjectJonah) August 29, 2021
We are still in Alert Level 4 restrictions and this is not essential travel.
Police are in place at checkpoints in the area.
The police have set up a checkpoint to stop people breaching level 4 trying to get a glimpse of the orca.
