Preliminary DNA Tests indicate that the Dolphin Recovered in Taranaki may be a Hector's Dolphin
Wednesday 9 May 2012, 3:27PM
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Preliminary DNA test results released by the University of Auckland have shown that the dolphin recovered from a Taranaki beach last week had DNA characteristics more consistent with Hector’s dolphin, rather than Maui’s dolphin.
Further DNA tests are underway to confirm exactly which sub-species the dolphin was. These results could be many weeks away.
The animal died of natural causes and DOC is still awaiting results of further tests into what may have contributed to its death. There were no signs that the dolphin died in fishing nets or by any other human interaction.
The Department will provide this new information to the Minister of Conservation to take account of as she considers a proposed extension to the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary and the review of the Threat Management Plan for Hector’s and Maui’s dolphin.
Consultation on the proposed extension to the current boundaries of the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary to protect Maui’s dolphin closed on the 27th of April and advice to the Minister of Conservation will be provided following a summary of submissions in the coming weeks.
The preliminary DNA report also included results from a dolphin that of natural causes in Manukau Harbour in October of 2011. That animal also showed DNA characteristics more consistent with a Hector’s dolphin.
Additional Information
http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/consultations/closed/proposed-interim-extension-of-the-west-coast-north-island-marine-mammal-sanctuary/
- Maui's dolphin used to be known as North Island Hector's dolphin. Research showed that the North and South Island dolphins are separate sub-species that are physically and genetically distinct from each other.
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In 2012, a DOC-commissioned study estimated that the Maui's dolphin population consisted of 55 individuals with a 95% confidence interval of 48 to 69. This estimate was for individuals aged more than 1 year and excluded calves younger that this.
- The population size of Hector’s Dolphin is estimated to be just over 7190 with a split of around 5400 on the East Coast of the South Island and 1790 on the West Coast of both the South and North Islands.