11 August 2009
The Gisborne Herald
WOMEN swimming with Moko the dolphin are urged to be careful as the teenager takes a growing fancy to the fairer sex.
The Department of Conservation is strongly advising people not to swim or interact with Moko. The dolphin is more aggressive now he has grown out of playful childhood into adolescence.
However, Mahia fisherman Bill Shortt, who regularly spends time with Moko, says he is “absolutely harmless” but warns women swimming in winter to be careful.
“He did the same thing last winter. He is bored and like a big overgrown kid who just wants attention,” says Mr Shortt.
“What amazes me is we still have a sign saying Moko is female. Women come and read it and head for the water and don’t think anything of it.
“But he is a big powerful bloke, gets very boisterous in winter and always goes for the women.”
The warning comes after a woman needed to be rescued when Moko kept her from returning to shore last month.
The Department of Conservation says Moko needs the chance to seek companions from his own species.
“Even playing in the shallows with the dolphin has the potential to cause serious injury, especially to children, and there are also significant risks to the dolphin,” says DoC biodiversity programme manager John Adams.
However, Mr Shortt says when Moko has many playmates in summer he is as “safe as ever”.
“We can’t forget he did the same thing to a woman last winter in Taylor’s Bay — she was kayaking and Moko wouldn’t let her come back in.
“It will be the same next winter too, but as soon as the crowd comes when the water gets warmer he is absolutely harmless. He just wants to play.
“For goodness sake, how many people have swum with him now? Thousands? Just don’t go swimming with him if you’re a female on your own.
“He likes women, but what man doesn’t, we can’t blame him for that.”
Moko is one of about 50 solitary dolphins recorded worldwide. A female dolphin in Ireland, named Dusty by locals, has been around for eight years and her habits are the same.
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