Pōpoto / Māui Dolphins are some of the world's smallest and most endangered dolphins with less than 50 left. They are classified as Nationally Critical and we urgently need your help to turn things around.
The world’s smallest dolphins are teetering on the brink of extinction.
With less than 50 left, the Māui dolphin a species found only in New Zealand, is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’. The Māui dolphin is one of the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins. An endemic sub-species closely related to the Hector’s dolphin, it is now found only in the coastal waters off the west coast of the North Island.
Entanglement in fishing nets, mining activity, boat strike, pollution and disease, pose real risks to the species' survival.
Habitat
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Māui dolphins are only found on the west coast of the North Island from Maunganui Bluff to Whanganui.
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They can often be seen near Manukau Harbour and Port Waikato near shores and harbour mouths.
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They swim to depths of 100m and out to 20 nautical miles.
Threats:
- Entanglement in nets has been the largest cause of human related Māui dolphin deaths. Because Māui dolphins live off the coast, fishing is a significant threat to their survival. Māui dolphins generally feed on bottom-dwelling fish and free-swimming prey and are often seen foraging around fishing boats using trawl nets, hunting the fish that have been disturbed by the trawlers.
- Boat strike also kills dolphins and especially young ones as they cannot swim fast enough to get away.
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Pollution such as plastic debris, litter, metal toxins, oil spills, pathogens and organochlorines are increasingly harming the Māui dolphin population.
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Brucella abortus is a pathogen caused by bacteria that can cause late pregnancy abortions. This was first identified in a Māui dolphin in 2006, and puts the already low population at risk.
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Toxoplasmosis is another parasitic disease that spreads through ingestion of infected meat or the ingestion of contaminated material. The main source of infection for dolphins is most likely through freshwater run-off from the land contaminated with cat faeces. Toxoplasmosis can cause death, behavioural changes, still births and reduced reproductive rates.
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Changing weather patterns may also put the Māui population at risk due to extreme weather events and changing food availablity.
Donate and Help Save Māui
What can you do?
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Your donation will directly support our efforts to mobilise communities, advocate for much needed change, and collaborate with people across Aotearoa NZ to safeguard the Māui dolphin.
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With your support we are adding the Māui and Hector’s Dolphins to our Awhi Awa kete (resource pack), to educate and inspire coastal communities to restore waterways and take action for this precious taonga.
Your donation will help to:
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Draw attention to the issues facing the Māui and Hector's Dolphins
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Empower communities with the solutions that are needed
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Educate people on what they can do to make a difference.
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Advocate for much needed policy change to protect the Māui and Hector's dolphins and their habitats
How can you help?
We are fundraising to help support the highest-priority conservation efforts for the critically endangered Maui dolphin. You can help get behind saving our endemic dolphins by offering financial support and helping to raise awareness around their plight.
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Report Māui dolphin sightings - 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or report via this form
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Support calls for Māui protected areas to be extended and for a ban on trawling and net fishing in the entire Māui habitat.
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Support a ban on bottom trawling in Aotearoa
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Vote for candidates in elections who support better environmental policies.
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Include green spaces in your garden to filter rainwater and reduce runoff.
- Use eco-friendly cleaning products.
- Reduce your use of plastic - it break downs and find its way into waterways.
