Its chapters tell stories of Opo and other solitary dolphins; of the capture of wild dolphins to perform in ''Marineland'' in the late 20th century; of scientists who endured considerable personal hardship simply to learn more about the animals; of the development of dolphin tourism; and of recent efforts to protect our five dolphin species.
Public attitude to dolphins has evolved since the earliest days of European settlement (when the animals were widely regarded as fish) into a respect and fascination that sometimes borders on worship. But the book makes it clear interaction with humans has generally been bad for dolphins.
The book argues dolphins are still harmed by some of our fishing and tourism activities. The populations of all New Zealand species are in decline. Maui's dolphins, for example, are probably rarer than kakapo. Efforts to protect the dolphins that remain are resisted by those who see their livelihoods or freedoms threatened.
The book is written by someone who cares about New Zealand's dolphins and works to improve their status. It's extensively referenced and indexed, and filled with photographs. Those interested in conservation will find it interesting and enlightening, but probably not comforting.
- Marcus Turner is a Dunedin natural history researcher.
Win a copy
The ODT has three copies of The Dolphins of Aotearoa, by Raewyn Peart (RRP $49.99), to give away courtesy of Craig Potton Publishing. For your chance to win a copy, email helen.speirs@odt.co.nz with your name and postal address in the body of the email, and ''Dolphins Book Competition'' in the subject line, by 5pm on Tuesday, March 25.
