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The world's rarest marine mammal
IUCN, the International Conservation Union has added
Maui's dolphin to its RED LIST. Other species on this
list include yellow eyed penguins, blue whales and orca.
Maui's are on the list because they are critically endangered,
or in other words are at risk of becoming extinct. Can
you think of any New Zealand species that have become
extinct?
So how did Maui's dolphin come to be in so much trouble?
To start with they are slow breeders. Female Maui's
live to about 20 years old but don't start breeding
until they are about 8. Because their calves stay with
them for up to 2 years they only get to have about 4
calves in their whole lifetime - this isn't many at
all! Why do you think Maui's might be so slow to breed?
(Hint - think about how they die naturally)
Since Maui's are naturally slow to increase in numbers,
any dolphins that die due to human activity leads the
population to decline. What sort of things do humans
do that could harm or kill Maui's dolphins?
Set net fishing
Set
nets (or gill nets) are long nets with heavy weights
anchored to the sea floor. Buoys attached to the nets
hold them upright in the water so they become like walls.
Fish that have swum into these nets are hauled in by
fishers some time after they were put out. The problem
with this kind of fishing is that Maui's dolphins don't
always see the nets underwater and can swim into them
and get stuck. You probably know that Maui's are mammals
- like us they need air to breathe and if held underwater
for more that a couple of minutes will drown. Unfortunately,
we suspect that far too many Maui's dolphins have died
in this way.
Other threats
Other
ways that human activity has harmed Maui's dolphins
include being hit by boat propellers and hulls - this
is called boat strike. Also lots of chemicals wash from
cities and farms and into the sea where Maui's live.
While there is no exact information, some scientists
suspect that fish eaten by Maui's may contain harmful
toxins, which in turn will be harmful to Maui's.
How you can help the Maui's dolphin
Everyone (even kids!) can help protect Maui's dolphin
and ensure they don't become extinct. Here are some
ideas to get you started…..
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If you see a Maui's dolphin call 0800 4 MAUIS.
Information gathered from people who have seen
Maui's helps scientists who are doing research
on where Maui's live and how many there are.
Never ever use set nets in Maui's dolphin
habitat! Click here to see a map
of where you are not allowed to use set nets.
Certain politicians are responsible for protecting
Maui's dolphins. Why not write a letter to let
them know how important it is that they do this
effectively! Example of who you could write to
include:
Chris Carter, Minister of Conservation
Pete Benson-Pope, Minister of Fisheries
Your local MP (ask an adult to find out who your
MP is)
It's FREE to post a letter to parliament! Simply
write the Minister's name, address the envelope
to Parliament Buildings, Wellington and pop it
in the post - easy!
Rubbish in the sea is sometimes mistaken for
food by Maui's and other marine mammals and sea
birds. Prevent rubbish from getting into the
sea by picking it up off the beach and out of
the gutter. Encourage your friends to write
letters to politicians and pick up rubbish with
you.
Get your school involved! WWF sells resource
packs to schools for only $15. Ask your teacher
if you can learn about Maui's dolphin for topic.
If you live in Auckland a WWF Maui's dolphin teacher
will visit your school for FREE! Click here
to find out more.
 Help
WWF to help Maui's. By joining the Panda
Club you will be supporting WWF as well as
having the opportunity to receive cool colour
newsletters about the environment.
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