Maui's Dolphin Facts
The North Island sub-species of Hector’s, the Maui’s dolphin, numbers just 111. They are critically endangered. The situation is compounded because their population may include fewer than 60 mature animals, with only an estimated 25 breeding females.
They are found only off the north-west coast of the North Island. Like its cousin in the South Island, they are so small they could fit into a bathtub. They are truly unique.
Breeding
As well as being slow breeders the pool of potential mates for Maui’s dolphins is very small, meaning that inbreeding may occur. Inbreeding reduces the gene pool and creates a higher chance of birth defects and genetic problems.
Where do you find Maui's Dolphin?
In the 19th Century Maui's dolphins were found around the North Island coastline, from Tauroa Point in Northland , south around Wellington and back up to mid-Bay of Plenty. Maui’s dolphins are now only found from Maunganui Bluff (near Dargaville) to just south of New Plymouth - most commonly between Manukau Harbour and Port Waikato.
In the 1970s most strandings of Maui’s dolphins were around the lower North Taranaki Bight.
Read more, click on a click below: