Click photo to enlarge
Visitors to Mahia are being asked to give Moko - the
friendly bottlenose dolphin that has made the beach her
home - some space. Photo by NZPA /Wairoa Star.
Moko the dolphin may have won the hearts of New
Zealanders with her playful antics in the sea off the East
Coast, but a dolphin welfare group is warning she may be in
danger of getting hurt by her human pals.
The three-year-old bottlenose has been visiting Mahia Beach
since March last year and has now taken to bringing fish to
people and playing with toys swimmers bring her.
But marine welfare organisation Project Jonah said people
should take a "hands off" approach and give Moko her space.
"Moko has undoubtedly captured the hearts of Kiwis, but she
is in danger of getting hurt if she isn't treated with
respect, and those seeking to get close to her are also
putting themselves at risk," Project Jonah chief executive
Kimberly Muncaster said.
"Pictures of dolphins in captivity give people a false
understanding of these animals.
"Although Moko is actively seeking human company, she's a
wild animal, not a trained performer."
Ms Muncaster said bottlenose dolphins could be unpredictable
and sometimes aggressive - both to each other and to humans.
Over the years, people had been bumped, rammed and bitten by
dolphins, walking away from their encounter with cracked
ribs, internal injuries and painful bruises.
"At the same time, dolphins can be accidentally hurt or
injured by thoughtless swimmers or boat drivers.
"Whilst dolphins are strong and agile, they also have
incredibly delicate skin," Ms Muncaster said.
"Fingernails, rings and watches can gouge chunks out of them
and diseases can be passed from human to dolphin, and vice
versa. Flippers or fins can be easily dislocated,
particularly if people drag, pull or hold on to them."
Boats should also be careful as dolphins were vulnerable to
boat and propeller strike, especially those as friendly as
Moko.
"If you're in a boat when she approaches, turn off the engine
and remove any nets or fishing gear from the water.
"Alternatively, move your boat at slow to no-wake speed and
keep a straight path to avoid running her over," Ms Muncaster
said.
