A female orca has been discovered dead near Banks Peninsula.
The dead orca was brought up in the net of a deepwater trawl vessel 30 nautical miles northeast of Banks Peninsula on December 6.
The orca had suffered several deep lacerations, but it is not clear what caused the injuries.
The Ministry for Primary Industries is trying to determine what killed the orca and an observer on the vessel took photos and a tissue sample before the orca was returned to the sea as required.
Initial analysis suggests the injuries were inconsistent with either a propeller strike, or injuries caused by the net.
