A stranded whale has died in Caroline Bay, Timaru, despite numerous attempts by the public to refloat it.
The Department of Conservation and marine welfare charity Project Jonah, responded to calls by a member of the public about 8pm on Boxing Day after they spotted a lethargic whale only coming up for air every few minutes.
The whale had been struggling in the shallows and locals refloated the 6m creature about nine times before DOC and Project Jonah arrived.
About 10pm the whale restranded on the popular beach and Project Jonah medics, DOC rangers and members of the public were unable to save it.
DOC Geraldine district operations manager Dave Winterburn said it was dark and people could not be working in the water at that time of night. He was unsure of the cause of death and said it only had minor injuries.
"It could be old age. It could be anything. It was an adult. It could be that it was sick, it could be that it was old."
The whale, thought to be a greys beaked whale, died about 10.30pm.
The whale was missing most of its dorsal fin from an old injury.
Project Jonah general manager Daren Grover said there was a physical reason the whale stranded.
The whale has been removed from the beach and taken to landfill.