This article was first published by RNZ.
Scientists will start work next week to update their population estimate for one of the world’s rarest marine mammals.
The last survey of Māui dolphins, which was carried out in 2021, put the worldwide population at just 54 individuals aged over one-year-old.
The dolphins, which have distinctive grey, white and black markings and a rounded dorsal fin - likened in shape to a Mickey Mouse ear - are found only on the North Island’s west coast.
Like their close relative, Hector’s dolphin, they are much smaller than the more widespread common and Bottlenose dolphins.
Department of Conservation (DOC) ranger Cara Hansen said the survey, which was conducted every five years, used a genetic mark-recapture method.
That involved using a small biopsy dart to collect DNA samples from live, wild dolphins.
Analysis would provide vital information about population size, genetic diversity and movement patterns.
“The Māui dolphin is critically endangered, and every sighting or sample contributes to our understanding of the species and its future survival,” Hansen said.
The survey would be carried out over two summers with field teams operating between the entrance of Kaipara Harbour and the Mokau River in Taranaki, the dolphins' known range.
Staff from DOC’s Taranaki, Auckland, and Waikato districts and marine species team, the University of Auckland, and Ngāti Te Ata would work together on the project.
Hansen said the new survey would provide an updated population estimate and would help guide conservation efforts.
She said the public could play a role in Māui dolphin conservation by reporting any sightings to the DOC hotline, 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468), or the online marine mammal sighting form.
- RNZ
