Moko the Dolphin

'Moko' is a male Bottlenose dolphin thats been visiting New Zealand's sunniest coastline - Whakatane, since early January.  Moko has been seen at all the popular spots around Whakatane. He has been at Ohope Beach where he joined in with the surfers at West End, then he had a look at New Zealand's prettiest bay - Otarawairere. Later that day he took a jaunt up the Whakatane River and swum with some of the local kids.

Moko loves company and  will happily play for hours with swimmers, surfers and kayakers.  However please remember Moko is a wild animal animal and he should be approached with care and respect.  Please read this information from the Department of Conservation about Moko.

The latest reported news and sightings:

Call the Whakatane Information Centre: 0800 942 528 or 07 306 2030.

Visit Moko's Facebook or Twitter page

Facebook: MokoInWhakatane

Twitter: MokoinWhakatane

Got any great photos we can use on this website?  Please email nicolab@whakatane.govt.nz.  Current photos courtesy of Rosemary Tully, Diveworks and Peter Cavanagh.

More Information about Moko

TV3 Report - Moko

NZ Herald - Moko

Infonews - Moko

Moko's Blog - mokoinwhakatane

You Tube Video footage check: Moko 

Become a fan of Moko on Twitter or Facebook

Facebook: MokoInWhakatane

Twitter: MokoinWhakatane

24 February 2010  Department of Conservation

Play it safe with Moko

As a result of Moko’s (the bottlenose dolphin) continued presence at West End, Otarawairere and the Whakatane Heads, Department of Conservation (DOC) again repeat their public warning message about safety.

It is good to see that generally the public are enjoying interacting with Moko and his presence provides the public with a unique opportunity to see a marine mammal at close proximity.  However, DOC is continually receiving phone calls from the public concerning safety when interacting with Moko.

“DOC advise that if you wish to have an up close and personal experience with Moko that is safe, please consider using one of the marine mammal swimming and viewing permit holders that we have here in Whakatane” said Fiona Hennessey, Field Centre Supervisor.

“We have three permit holders here in the Eastern Bay that not only will ensure Moko’s safety, but that of their swimmers. Moko is renowned for ‘borrowing’ peoples boogie boards, surfboards and noodles and if that is what you or your child is depending on to keep you safe and afloat – there is a problem.

“Diveworks, Whales & Dolphin Watch and White Island Tours all have marine mammal permits which DOC grants under the Marine Mammal Protection Regulations (1992). As part of the requirement to be granted a permit, these operators need to prove they run a safe business.

“We’re so lucky to have Moko visiting us here in Whakatane, we want to ensure that the area is remembered in positive terms around Moko – not the place where someone was seriously injured or someone seriously injured our friendly dolphin.

“Our message is simple, remember that he is a wild animal and his behaviour can’t always be predicted. Think about what if… if he pushes me off my board/kayak, will I be able to get back on? If he jumps on my fibreglass kayak/canoe, could he break it?

“The biggest safety concerns for Moko are around boat propellers and various tethering lines and nets. If you are wanting to take a private vessel out to see him, ensure that within 300 metres you drop the boat speed to low, or no wake. If you regularly set a net and know that Moko is in the area, consider either not setting it while Moko is about, or ensure you are with it at all times. And if you are taking toys to play with him, please don’t take roped or stringed things.

Ms Hennessey finished by saying “Make the most of our special friend while he is around our shores. But please carefully consider your actions. If you look after yourself properly, the chances are you will be looking after Moko too.”

Guidelines for swimming with Moko 

He is a large, strong, wild animal, not a pet. If you get the chance to swim with Moko, for his sake and your own safety, please respect the following guidelines:
• Ensure that children are well supervised when in the water near Moko
• Consider wearing a life jacket, especially for your children and if you are not a strong swimmer
• Do not try to handle Moko
• Dolphins have sensitive skin, please remove protruding jewellery such as watches and rings
• Refrain from ‘scratching’ him with your fingernails
• Do not take stringed or roped ‘toys’ that could entangle Moko
• Do not surround the dolphin – always allow him to have an escape route where he can safely move to deep water
• Do not attempt to ride or be towed by Moko

If you have any concerns for Moko’s welfare please call 0800 DOCHOT (362468)

ENDS.

Read about how Moko saves 2 whales in Mahia

Source www.voyagemahia.co.nz

Moko the dolphin swims to the rescue of stranded whales
 

A pair of whales facing almost certain death after becoming stranded on a New Zealand beach have been led to safety by a compassionate dolphin....
Human attempts to guide two pygmy sperm whales through a narrow escape route from the beach had consistently failed and all seemed lost until a friendly bottlenose dolphin intervened.

Moko, a regular visitor to Mahia Beach on the east side of New Zealand's North Island, appeared to communicate with the whales before acting as a navigator to open water.

Malcolm Smith, a field worker for New Zealand's department of conservation, said that he had almost given up and was contemplating killing the whales to prevent further distress when Moko arrived.

“It was amazing,” he said. “It was like she grabbed them by the flipper and led them to safety. We worked for over an hour to try to get them back out to sea... but they kept getting disorientated and stranding again.”

The whales — a three-metre female and her 1.5-metre male calf — had been unable to negotiate a sand bar blocking their way to deeper water.

Mr Smith had been alerted to the whales' plight early on Monday morning by a neighbour. “Over the next hour and a half I pushed them back out to sea two or three times and they were very reluctant to move offshore,” he said.

“I was reaching the stage where I was thinking it's about time to give up here, I've done as much as I can. The whales were getting tired and I was getting cold when Moko turned up. She just came straight for us and escorted the two whales along the beach and out though the channel.”

He heard Moko and the whales making noises before they departed together, he said. “The whales were sitting on the surface of the water quite distressed. They had arched their backs and were calling to one another, but as soon as the dolphin turned up they submerged into the water and followed her.”

Once the group reached the end of the sand bar, Moko turned a right angle through a narrow channel and led the whales to safety.

Rescued whales often return to the site of their stranding, but Moko's actions appear to have had long-term success. “She obviously gave them enough guidance to leave the area because we haven't seen them since,” Mr Smith said.

“What the communication was I do not know, and I was not aware dolphins could communicate with pygmy sperm whales, but something happened that allowed Moko to guide those two whales to safety.”

Moko has become famous for her antics at Mahia, which include playing in the surf with swimmers, approaching boats to be patted and pushing kayaks through the water with her snout.

Once she had assisted the whales she immediately returned to the beach to play with local residents.

Such close interaction with humans is rare among dolphins but not unknown.“She's become isolated from her pod obviously for one reason or another, but obviously made Mahia home just at the moment.”

Up to 30 whales become stranded on Mahia Beach every year, most of which end with the whales having to be put down.

“I don't know if next time we have a whale stranding we can get her to come in again. She certainly saved the day for us and the whales this time.”