Concern over death of rare dolphin

The death of a rare Maui's dolphin off the west coast of Auckland this week has taken the species closer to extinction, says the Forest and Bird society.

The dolphin, from one of the rarest species in the world, was found dead at Bethells Beach. It was the seventh death in two years and a set net was probably to blame.

Forest and Bird northern conservation officer David Pattemore said the dolphin population was extremely fragile - only 100 were left - and needed better protection.

Forest and Bird wants a marine mammal sanctuary from the Maunganui Bluff, just north of Dargaville, to Pariokariwa Point, 90km north of New Plymouth.