Department of Conservation (DOC) staff say a dolphin carcass washed up on Matakana Island yesterday afternoon is probably Moko the bottlenose dolphin.
Moko is a bottlenose dophin who delighted Whakatane residents and visitors with his playful antics last summer and caused excitement among Tauranga locals when he arrived at Pilot Bay
on June 3, but has been rarely seen since.
Based on the size, markings and teeth of the carcass, we think that this is Moko, said DOC Ranger Jamie Quirk. Mr Quirk had worked with Moko since he turned up on the Mahia Peninsula coastline in 2007.
DOC Tauranga area manager Andrew Baucke said Moko was a wild animal and his death could have been caused by a number of factors.
"We'll be taking steps to identify the cause of death and dispose of the body appropriately.
"This is a sad loss. The way that Moko interacted with people really inspired public interest and care for dolphins and marine mammals and their environment in general. I'm sure that those who got to see and swim with him will treasure those memories," Mr Baucke said.
Katrina Knill, Department of Conservation community relations programme manager said the dolphin was already dead before it had washed up on shore.
"We know this because of the report and the state of the carcass," she said.
