Moko (dolphin) facts for kids
Moko playing with a surfboard in 2010
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| Species | Bottlenose dolphin |
|---|---|
| Born | 2006 |
| Died | July 2010 (aged 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 |
Moko (born 2006 – died 7 July 2010) was a friendly male bottlenose dolphin. He lived off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. From 2007 to 2010, Moko became well-known for interacting with people.
Moko's name was a short version of Mokotahi, a headland on the Mahia Peninsula. He lived near Mahia Beach for about two and a half years. During this time, he became a very popular attraction. Moko gained worldwide fame in March 2008 when he helped rescue two pygmy sperm whales.
Later, Moko moved around the coast. In September 2009, he went to Waikanae Beach in Gisborne. In January 2010, he moved to Whakatāne in the Bay of Plenty. He stayed there for five months. After that, he followed a fishing boat to Tauranga. Scientists were concerned about Moko's safety. They found he had scars from boats and a fish hook. Sadly, Moko was found dead on a beach at Matakana Island near Tauranga in July 2010. He was only four years old.
Contents
Moko's Amazing Story
How Moko Rescued Whales
In March 2008, Moko became a hero. He was seen helping two pygmy sperm whales. These whales were stuck between a sandbar and Mahia beach. A local person found the whales and told Malcolm Smith. Malcolm worked for the Department of Conservation.
Malcolm and other rescuers tried for an hour and a half to get the whales back into the sea. But they couldn't do it. Malcolm was starting to think they might have to put the whales out of their misery. Then, Moko appeared! Moko swam up to the two worried whales. He led them through a narrow channel. This channel took them safely back to the open sea. It was an incredible rescue!
A Swimmer's Unexpected Playtime
Many people enjoyed swimming with Moko at Mahia during the summer. However, in the winter, fewer people were around. Residents thought Moko might get lonely or bored. In July 2009, a woman went swimming alone at Mahia. She started to play with Moko.
The woman became tired, but Moko was still playing. He didn't seem to want her to go back to shore. The woman started to panic because she was so tired. People on the shore heard her calling for help. They rowed out to rescue her. They found her holding onto a buoy and brought her back to land. The woman later said that swimming alone so late was probably not a good idea. She also believed Moko didn't mean any harm. He was just playing.
Soul in the Sea: A Dolphin Documentary
A New Zealand filmmaker named Amy Taylor made a documentary about Moko. It was called Soul in the Sea. The film first showed at the 2013 New Zealand International Film Festival. Amy filmed Moko for six months before he passed away. The movie shows how Moko touched the lives of people in Whakatāne.
Moko's Safety and Well-being
Scientists were worried about Moko's safety. They noticed he had scars from boats. He also had a scar on his upper-right jaw from a fish hook. They pointed out that out of 30 "lone" dolphins found worldwide, 14 have been hurt or killed by interacting with humans.
A group that helps marine animals, Project Jonah, advised people to give Moko his space. They wanted to make sure he stayed safe. Sadly, Moko was found dead a few months after these concerns were raised.
