“The Māui dolphin is critically endangered, and every sighting or sample contributes to our understanding of the species and its future survival,” Hansen said.
“Real-time reports help our field teams understand where the dolphins are being seen and improve the success of our survey.”
The research uses a proven genetic mark-recapture method to estimate the Māui dolphin population.
DNA samples will be collected from live, wild dolphins using a small biopsy dart, providing essential information about population size, genetic diversity, and movement patterns, Hansen said.
Māui dolphins, a subspecies of Hector’s dolphin, are the world’s smallest dolphin species.
They have a distinctive round dorsal fin, often likened to an ear from the cartoon character Mickey Mouse.
The previous abundance estimate indicated there were around 54 individual Māui dolphins over the age of one year off the North Island’s west coast.
Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern launched a conservation initiative in 2021 to protect the world’s most endangered dolphin species using drones.
The Māui Drone Project used unmanned aerial vehicles to find and follow Māui dolphins, using artificial intelligence to help fill critical science gaps about the mammal’s distribution and how they use their habitat.
The new survey will provide an updated estimate to help track changes in the population and inform conservation efforts.
The public can also play a role in conservation efforts by reporting any sightings of Māui dolphins.
Sightings can be reported through DoC’s hotline: 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or via the marine mammal sighting form on DoC’s website www.doc.govt.nz.
Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with roading, lifestyle, business, and animal welfare issues.
