Christchurch animal rescue volunteers are on standby following the discovery of a pilot whale calf at North New Brighton beach.

The calf was found dead early this morning prompting volunteers of animal welfare charity Project Jonah to visit the animal.

Fetal folds were visible on the calf meaning the animal was most likely less than 6 months old.

A Project Jonah volunteer said the calf looked to be in a relatively healthy physical condition with no obvious scars and injuries.

Department of Conservation and Ngāi Tahu were on site today preparing for a burial.

Project Jonah General Manager Darren Grover told Chris Lynch on Newstalk ZB pilot whales live in large social groups, anywhere from 30 to several hundred.

“This indicates there could be pilot whales in the region close to the shore.”

A ‘precautionary alert’ had been sent out to local Marine Mammal Medics in the Central Christchurch region, asking them to have their rescue gear ready just in case any further whales strand.

A Project Jonah volunteer spokesperson said locals who discovered the whale did a great job informing authorities.

“They even left a note by the whale so that others knew the whale had been reported.”

Pilot whales are in fact one of the largest members of the dolphin family, but they are treated as whales for the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992.

They were named pilot whales because it was thought that each pod followed a ‘pilot’ in the group.

If you come across a whale – Contact the Department of Conversation on 0800 362468 or Project Jonah on 0800 494253.