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      1. Species
        1. Hector's and Maui's dolphins
          1. Maui's dolphin
            1. Have You Seen a Maui's?

Summary of all WWF Maui's public sightings

Quick facts and figures on Maui's sightings

Map of WWF-New Zealand Public Maui's dolphin sightings since 2003

Map of WWF-New Zealand Public Maui's dolphin sightings since 2003

© WWF-New Zealand

WWF New Zealand has maintained sighting records since 2003.

Since 2003 there have been 113 public sightings of Maui’s dolphins along the West Coast of the North Island from the WWF New Zealand sightings programme.  The map above illustrates the distribution of sightings over the seven year period.

The majority of all sightings are from the online reporting form.  The remainder are received by the 0800 4 MAUIS phone line.

Most observers were engaged in boating activities (60%) or surfing (31%) at the time of the sightings.

Report your sighting

I can't stress how valuable public sightings reports are in helping the conservation of Maui's. The dolphins are thought to be as few as 100 individuals so every sighting is important.

Dr Barbara Breen

Why report sightings of Maui's dolphins?

Reports from the public about Maui's are critically important for the conservation of the dolphins.

Maui's numbers are thought to be as low as 100 individuals - so every sighting you report is vital, giving 'real time' information about the where the dolphins range from season to season.  This is very important information - knowing where the dolphins are means we know where they need protecting.

Thank you to everyone who has reported a Maui’s sighting for helping protect this critically endangered species from extinction.

What does WWF do with my sightings report?

WWF adds your report to other people’s sightings to build a picture of where these rare dolphins are found. This is very important because it tells us - and other conservation organisations - where the dolphins need to be protected.

Public sightings of Maui's dolphins from 2007 to 2009 (n=58)

Distribution of Maui's sightings 2007-2009

Fifty eight sightings were made from December 2007 to May 2009.  Eighty eight percent of the sightings reports were received from the online reporting form found at www.wwf.org.nz.

Only three sightings were provided by WWF New Zealand from 2007, all of these came from the online reporting form. 

In 2008, seventeen sightings were received from WWF New Zealand, three were reported by phone (0800 4 MAUIS), fifteen were from the online reporting form. 

In 2009, thirty eight sightings were received from WWF New Zealand, four were reported by phone, one by personal email to a WWF Staff member, and thirty three were from the online reporting form.

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