Moko the dolphin.
Department of Conservation (DOC) staff say a dolphin
found dead in the Bay of Plenty is probably Moko, who has
entertained beachgoers on the North Island east coast for the
past few years.
The bottlenose dolphin was found on Matakana beach, north of
Mt Maunganui, yesterday.
DOC staff would today examine the dolphin, which is
understood to be of a similar size and sex to Moko, with the
same missing teeth.
Moko was found to have lost eight teeth during an examination
earlier this year, possibly from playing with anchor or
mooring chains or ropes. He was last seen about two weeks ago
and DOC staff said they had been concerned for him because of
the lack of sightings.
"Based on the size, markings and teeth of the carcass, we
think that this is Moko," DOC ranger Jamie Quirk said today.
Mr Quirk has worked with Moko since he turned up on the Mahia
Peninsula on the east coast in 2007.
The playful solitary dolphin had been a familiar sight around
Gisborne before following a fishing boat to the Bay of Plenty
earlier this year.
Moko arrived at Pilot Bay in Mt Maunganui on June 3, but has
been seen rarely since.
Marine biologist Amy Taylor, who has been making a film about
Moko, told NZPA this afternoon she was about to depart on a
boat to help identify the dolphin.
DOC Tauranga area manager Andrew Baucke said Moko was a wild
animal and his death could have been caused by any number of
factors.
"We'll be taking steps to identify the cause of death and
dispose of the body appropriately," he said.
"This is a sad loss. The way that Moko interacted with people
really inspired public interest and care for dolphins and
marine mammals and their environment in general.
"I'm sure that those who got to see and swim with him will
treasure those memories."
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