GIVE MUM A HECTOR'S DOLPHIN FOR MOTHER'S DAY

Give mum a totally unique gift this Mother’s Day and help save our critically endangered Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins.

With only 111 of New Zealand’s Maui’s dolphins estimated to be left in the world, an urgent call has gone out to help protect this unique and New Zealand mammal. Down To Earth, New Zealand’s first environmentally friendly cleaning brand, has teamed up with Forest & Bird and launched an Adopt a Dolphin campaign www.adoptadolphin.co.nz, in a bid to help protect the world’s rarest dolphin.

For $45, mum will receive an adoption pack including a certificate, information on the dolphins, an activity book which the kids will love and Down to Earth product. All profits from the adoption programme are donated to Forest and Bird to further their conservation efforts in safeguarding the current population of these rare and special animals, educating school children, the public and fishermen and lobbying Government for ongoing protection programmes.

Simply visit www.adoptadolphin.co.nz to get mum a gift she’ll always remember.

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At this moment in time, the Maui’s dolphin is in a critical position with a population estimated at only 111 individuals. This may include less than 60 mature animals with only an estimated 25 breeding females. The Hector’s dolphin is also under extreme threat with the population having declined to just above 7,000 individuals (down from an estimated 27,000 just 35 years ago).

Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins are unique to New Zealand and are only found off the coast of New Zealand. They are the world’s smallest dolphin – in fact, so small they could fit in a bath tub. The biggest danger to them is from set netting and although the Government introduced new measures in 2008 to address set netting and other threats, Forest and Bird would like to see wider protection measures put in place.

Both the South Island Hector’s dolphin and the Maui’s dolphin are listed internationally as species threatened with extinction. The female Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins only produce one calf every two to four years and do not start breeding until they are 7 to 9 years old. This slow rate of reproduction makes Hector's dolphin populations vulnerable to deaths caused by human activities such as set-netting.

People can follow updates on the Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins at Mauis111 on facebook and twitter.

ENDS

Notes:

Down to Earth range is phosphate-free, contains biodegradable surfactants, is not tested on animals and comes in fully recyclable packaging (where facilities exist). Visit www.dteproducts.co.nz for further information.

Down To Earth has been giving New Zealanders a greener household cleaning option since 1989. We were first to launch a safer, sustainable alternative to the harsh chemical cleaners around at that time, and today our range continues to lead the way in delivering brilliant results at an affordable price, while caring for you and the environment. Our range includes washing powder, dishwashing liquid and dishwasher tablets.