Moko (dolphin)
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Moko (2006 – 7 July 2010) was a male bottlenose dolphin who associated with humans on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand from 2007 to 2010.
Species | Bottlenose dolphin |
---|---|
Sex | Male |
Born | 2006 |
Died | 7 July 2010(2010-07-07) (aged 3–4) |
Resting place | Matakana Island, NZ Bay of Plenty, NZ |
Years active | 2007–2010 |
Known for | Rescue of pygmy sperm whales |
Title | Moko Of Mahia[citation needed] |
Moko, short for Mokotahi, a headland on Mahia Peninsula, was three-years-old as of July 2009.[1] He resided at Mahia Beach for two and a half years from 2007 to September 2009,[2][3] and became a major attraction there.[1] He received worldwide fame when he rescued two pygmy sperm whales in March 2008.[1][4] A year later, he trapped a woman out at sea. At the beginning of September 2009 Moko moved 80 km up the coast to Waikanae Beach, Gisborne,[2] and in January 2010 he moved to Whakatāne in the Bay of Plenty for five months before following a fishing boat to Tauranga on 3 June.[5] Scientists were worried about Moko's welfare after a study found he had been scarred by boats and a fish hook.[1] He was found dead on a beach at Matakana Island near Tauranga on 7 July 2010.[6]