NZTRI researcher says playful dolphin should be left alone

In recent months a sub-adult bottlenose dolphin has become increasingly interactive with visitors and locals off the coast of Gisborne.This interaction is popular but there are concerns about the risks involved, for people and for Moko, the dolphin. The bottlenose is one of several species of dolphin found in New Zealand waters.

 A characteristic of this species is that "play" is an important way animals explore and learn. Play has a function in developing and improving important skills – such as swimming, hunting and interacting with one another. There are cases where sociable dolphins have been injured  by people and there are rare cases where people have been injured by sociable dolphins.

The risks of such injuries are much greater when there are large numbers of people seeking in-water contact with the dolphin. This is currently the case with Moko as the peak summer period approaches and he is near to people for many hours. Although many will argue that this interaction is initiated by Moko, it is important we consider the potential implications of such contact for Moko's long-term health and independence. Our view is that Moko needs to be given space and left alone. Although his social needs and desires are being met by humans, his motivation to seek out and interact with his own kind is lessened. He is not and should not be viewed as a playmate used for our entertainment and benefit. This is not in Moko's best interests.

A local "Moko Minders" group is being established with the support of businesses and surf life saving club members in the Gisborne area. This group intends to monitor Moko's behaviour and to help educate and manage people's behaviour around him. We applaud this initiative and encourage people to support and follow the group's directions.

Mark Orams, PhD, is based at the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute at AUT University. Rochelle Constantine, PhD, is from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. The pair completed PhD research which looked at the impacts of human interactions on bottlenose dolphins and they have been involved in a wide range of research on marine mammals both in NZ and internationally.

Read the full article here.