'New Zealand Sea Monster' Carcass Solved

I was encouraged to run the material about the possibility of Mosasaurs around New Zealand because this carcass had been washed up on a New Zealand beach. However it seems pretty certain that the body in question is a rotted killer whale or false killer whale.

'Prehistoric animal' mystery solved

The carcass was discovered by a group of quad bikers (Luana Lovell-Dewes)

 

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 2:13p.m. By Adam Ray

A large animal carcass that washed up on a Bay of Plenty beach left some locals wondering if they'd come across the remains of a prehistoric animal.

The carcass was discovered by a group of quad bikers on a beach about 5km east of Pukehina Beach.

The animal's jaw and teeth and parts of its body were still intact.

"People have been asking about it all weekend. It's caused a bit of 'What is it?' in the beach," says Luana Lovell-Dewes, one of the quad bikers who found the remains.

"We haven't seen teeth like that on an animal that's washed up."

• PHOTOS: 'Prehistoric animal' mystery solved

Photos of the animal have been sent to the Department of Conservation and Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium for identification, but Mrs Lovell-Dewes says it has proven difficult to get any confirmation.

The photos were forwarded to marine mammal expert Anton van Helden, who told 3 News the carcass was that of an orca.

He was able to identify it because orcas have a distinctive 'flipper'.

"It's hard to say how it died," he says.

While Mrs Lovell-Dewes is glad to have the mystery solved, she is also a little disappointed.

"That's boring isn't it? It's not the prehistoric animal I thought!"

She says plenty of locals and visitors had been to see the remains, which have now been washed to sea.

Read more: 'Prehistoric animal' mystery solved - Story - Environment/Sci - 3 News http://www.3news.co.nz/Prehistoric-animal-mystery-solved/tabid/1160/articleID/296049/Default.aspx#ixzz2S3f2rh64