Girls injured after run-in with Moko

Moko at play. Photo / Rebecca Grunwell

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Two girls have been left bruised following a run-in with Gisborne's resident dolphin, Moko.

While the 12-year-olds, both junior lifeguards, were out on their paddle boards yesterday, Moko knocked them off as he tried to get hold of the boards, The Gisborne Herald reported.

One of the girls was left with an injured nose, while the other got a bruised hip.

Both were unable to retrieve their boards and as they used another one provided by a fellow lifeguard to make their way back to shore the dolphin also tried to get hold of that one.

The Department of Conservation has warned swimmers about getting too close to Moko, whose behaviour has become increasingly aggressive over the past few months.

Surf Lifesaving Gisborne development officer Rama Robertson said children with boards could easily be dragged out to sea by Moko.

- NZPA