LeopardSeals.org co-founder Dr Krista van der Linde was excited to learn how big the taonga animal was.
While the cause of death of the nearly 3m-long animal was unknown, she would soon conduct a necropsy to help further the limited knowledge available of the species in New Zealand.
She was notified of the dead animal on Oreti Beach late on Monday night, and received approval from local iwi and the Department of Conservation to remove it yesterday.
It had only been in the past decade that more was being discovered about the native species, but she said the not-for-profit was building on research.
The animal found in Invercargill this week would help bolster that.
‘‘Eventually, when we have enough of them, we can do a whole study.’’
She said there were about 10 animals already in its database.
With no idea as to how long the animal had been on the beach, she needed it to be transported to a freezer for safe-keeping.
A group of about 15 headed to the beach yesterday afternoon to lift the heavy body from the beach, following a karakia.
‘‘Fortunately for me there are bloody awesome people in the community who are willing to do crazy stuff to help.
‘‘It blows my mind.’’
Dr van der Linde explained she was a big fan of citizen science, and this was a great example of that happening.
She thanked those who had made the effort.
