A pilot whale that beached at Kaka Point in February had an infestation of roundworms in its inner ear which might have affected its navigation and feeding ability.
That was one of the findings in the necropsy (animal autopsy) on the whale, the Otago Conservation Board heard at its meeting in Alexandra yesterday.
The cost of the necropsy was covered by Shell New Zealand, which was undertaking a seismic survey off the Otago coast at the time.
The necropsy was to assess whether there was any connection between the beaching and the offshore seismic work, a report from Department of Conservation staff to the board said.
The 4.5m long-fin injured whale washed ashore alive on February 20 and Kaka Point residents, police, firefighters and the Kaka Point Life Saving Club spent several hours trying to help it back out to sea.
Eventually, the rescue efforts were abandoned and the whale was left to die on the rocks.
A tractor was used by Doc staff to remove the whale and it was transported to Dunedin on a trailer.
A veterinary pathologist carried out the necropsy and the whale's organs were examined, the brain removed and samples were taken.
The mammal's head was removed and given a CT scan at the Marinoto Clinic.
