These tiny, endangered dolphins only live along the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand – nowhere else – and they need your help.
Did you know Maui’s dolphin is the world’s most endangered marine mammal?
There are 32 species of marine mammals in the world. Of all of them, Maui’s dolphin is the most at risk of extinction. Do you know what extinction means?
The International Conservation Union (IUCN) keeps an eye on all at risk animals and plants all over the world. It has put Maui’s dolphin on its RED LIST – that means they are ‘critically endangered’, and unless something happens to help them survive, they will disappear forever from planet Earth.
Other species on this list include yellow-eyed penguins, blue whales and orca. Can you think of any New Zealand species that have already gone extinct?
How did they get into so much trouble?
Maui’s dolphin are in so much trouble for a number of reasons. First, they are slow breeders. Female Maui’s live to about 20 years old but don’t start having baby dolphins until they are 7–9 years old. Because their calves stay with them for up to 2 years they only get to have a few calves in their whole lifetime. Can you work out how many that would be?
Because Maui’s are naturally slow to breed, their numbers only increase very slowly. That means, any that die because of our actions will cause the population to decline.
What sort of things do people do that could harm or kill Maui’s dolphins?
Fishing with set nets
Set nets (or gill nets) are long nets made out of fine nylon filament. Heavy weights anchor their bottom to the sea floor, while buoys attached to their top hold them upright in the water so they become like an invisible wall. Fish swim into the nets and get tangled in the fine nylon.
The problem for Maui’s dolphins is that they don’t always see the nets underwater, or don’t pick them up using echolocation. Because the dolphins can’t swim backwards, once they’re caught they’re stuck.
Maui’s are mammals, like us, which means they need air to breathe. If held underwater for more that a couple of minutes, they drown.
Other threats
Other ways Maui’s are harmed by our actions 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. 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 you) can help protect Maui’s dolphins and help make sure they don’t become extinct. Here are some ideas to get you started…
- If you see a Maui’s dolphin, call 0800 4 MAUIS (0800 462 847). Your information will help scientists learn more about where they live and how many there are. Learn how to identify a Maui’s dolphin
- Adopt a Hector’s dolphin – by yourself or with your class. Your annual NZ $30 donation supports WWF-New Zealand’s dolphin conservation programme.
- Don’t use set nets. Or if you must, never use them in places where these dolphins are known to live. The Ministry of Fisheries website has information on where you can and can’t use set nets.
- Write a letter or email to the people responsible for protecting Maui’s dolphins. Let them know how important it is that they protect the dolphins. Get your friends, classmates and parents to do it too. You could write to:
The Minister of Fisheries – Phil Heatley, phil.heatley@parliament.govt.nz
Your local member of Parliament. You can find out who your MP is on this website, or you can ask someone to help you find out who it is.
Letters can be sent, for free, if they are addressed to politicians at: Freepost, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.
- Take care when getting rid of plastic rubbish. Collect rubbish off your local beach, and pick up any rubbish you see on the road. If left, this rubbish is likely to end up in the sea where it can be mistaken for food by Maui’s dolphins and other marine mammals and seabirds. Animals that eat rubbish can die.
- Get your class and school involved. Ask your teacher if you can study Maui’s dolphin as a topic – you can download a Saving Maui’s dolphin resource pack or order a copy of the Take Action for Maui’s DVD.
- If you live in the Auckland region, you can ask a WWF-New Zealand teacher to visit your school to talk about Maui’s dolphins for FREE.
Learn interesting facts about Maui’s dolphins. And you can download our fact sheet.
Send us your photos and drawings
Do you enjoy drawing or taking photos? We’d love to feature some of your work on our website.
Report all sightings
Please report every sighting of a Maui’s dolphin – either online, or by calling our Maui’s hotline: 0800 4 MAUIS (0800 462 847). If you think you’ve seen one, ask an adult to help you do this.
