03/08/2017
Marine mammal freight guidance
The Department of Conservation has a contract with Massey University Palmerston North (contact:
,
) to perform post-mortem examinations on all*
Hector’s and Māui dolphins.
These carcasses should be transported chilled
NOT frozen as this can damage tissues and obscure
important details about cause of death. If delivery is delayed for any reason, e.g. due to weekends,
place the dolphin on ice rather than freezing, if possible. The decomposition that would occur during
this time is preferable to the damage caused by freezing the animal.
Preference for Hector’s/Māui dolphins is that only Code 2 carcasses will be sent to Massey, Code 3
will be assessed on a case-by-case basis (see Table 1). If unsure on what condition it is in and if it
should be sent for post mortem, take photos and contact Wendi Roe directly for advice.
Ensure you take plenty of photos before the dolphin is wrapped up as the packing material can
cause superficial markings during transport.
Table 1: Carcass Codes 1-5
Code
Type
Characteristics
Code 1.
Live Animal
Breathing
Code 2.
Fresh Carcass
Normal appearance, little scavenger damage, fresh
smell, little drying or wrinkling of the skin, eyes clear, no
bloating, penis & tongue not protruding, blubber firm &
white
Code 3.
Fair
Carcass intact, bloating evident, tongue & penis
protruding, skin cracked & sloughing, eyes dry & sunken,
possible scavenger damage, blubber oily & blood-tinged
Code 4.
Poor
Carcass partially intact, skin sloughing or missing,
blubber soft often with pockets of gas &/or oil, much
scavenger damage, eyes missing, muscle almost liquid &
easily torn, putrid smell, bubbling
Code 5.
Skeletal
Dry skin overlaying bone. All tissue desiccated
Method of Transport
Your two options for transport are a refrigerated freight service, or a flight with Air New Zealand.
Traditionally we have used Halls Refrigerated to send chilled dolphins to Massey, however there has
been some instances of leakages which has prompted Halls to be stricter on their acceptance of
specimens. If Halls refuse to ship a specimen, you can use Air New Zealand instead (this is also
faster).
*Except if decomposition is so far along that determining cause of death is unlikely. See Carcass Codes (Table
1) and seek advice
03/08/2017
Halls Refrigerated
Log a job online: https://my.halls.co.nz/
Username:
Password:
http://www.halls.co.nz/about/services/refrigerated-containers.aspx
North Island: 09 269 1100 Fax: 09 269 4277
South Island: 03 344 0586 Fax: 03 344 2634
We have an account with Halls specifically for contract species (Hector’s/Māui dolphins, NZ sea
lions). The DOC Marine Strandings Account is ‘
If you are using Halls for any other
reason, please do not use this code. If a researcher or museum requests a carcass or large sample to
be sent to them, either use their own account or ensure that you indicate ‘charge to receiver’
Air New Zealand
https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/national-cargo-products-and-services
• Find a flight from your location to Palmerstorn North. Liase directly with
regarding
timing of arrival of flight.
will pick the dolphin up from the airport.
• Pay for the freight on a p-card
• Confirm with
what time the flight will arrive in Palmerston North
• Contact Marine Species and Threats team for the code to charge the costs to
Packaging protocol
Ensure the following protocol is observed when packing a dolphin or other specimen:
• Bodies should be chilled down if there is any delay between recovery and shipping (eg
placed in a bath with bags of ice overnight)
• Double-bag in thick polythene ‘body bags’ tied with cable ties (dolphin body bags can be
requested from National Office –
[email address]) – extra guidance is
available a
t DOC-6110887.
• Include a paper copy of the
incident form (DOCDM-870555) inside a ziplock bag, taped to
the bagged body – ensure you fill out the disposal section so the researchers know whether
they need to return the body
• Pack all of this inside a tuna coffin if you have one
• Label for delivery should include:
IVABS
Massey University
Tennant Drive
Palmerston North 4474
Contact:
03/08/2017
• Last step once transport is organised is to call or email
and let her know who is
transporting it (eg Halls or Air New Zealand), when it left, and when it is due to arrive
(important for flights).
