Not just a dolphin

It might not be Moko, but it probably is. And in the greater scheme of things, he is just a dolphin. But what are we really saying about society if we cannot take the time to mourn the death of any living being. So today's post is about Moko and the other dolphins who fascinate us.

Moko is the latest dolphin to capture the hearts of Kiwis. He has his own Wikipedia entry, his own Facebook page and Twitter account. This is the link to his page from his home in Whakatane. He is male Bottlenose Dolphin who highlighted both the joys of marine animals and the fact that they are still wild animals that need to be treated with respect.

Pelorus Jack was one of the first dolphins to interact with Kiwis. He was a Risso's dolphin from the 1880's and who accompanied ships that travelled between Nelson and Wellington. He was the first dolphin to be protected by law. The Te Ara website has a wonderful story and footage on him as well as other information about dolphins around New Zealand.

In the 1950's Opo the Bottlenose dolphin visited the Hokianga and inspired folklore and song. Once again the Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand website has an Opo page and this link to Flux Media will enable you to play a documentary about her.

To look up dolphins in the Rodney Libraries, you have plenty of choices as you can see from all the subject headings in our catalogue.

Here is a NZ Herald newslink from today for Moko. News of his death has been published as far afield as the UK. Personally I hope his death was from natural causes. May he rest in peace.