Yahoo News 8 Jul 10;
WELLINGTON (AFP) – A New Zealand dolphin who became an international tourist attraction as he entertained bathers on beaches is believed to have died, conservation officials said Thursday.
The carcass of a bottlenose dolphin found on an eastern North Island beach looks like the well-known Moko and has been taken away for an autopsy and DNA testing.
"Based on the size, markings and teeth of the carcass, we think that this is Moko," Department of Conservation ranger Jamie Quirk said.
The playful Moko, who was last seen about two weeks ago, delighted in playing with bathers and had been a familiar sight at beaches near Gisborne on the North island.
"This is a sad loss. The way that Moko interacted with people really inspired public interest and care for dolphins and marine mammals and their environment in general," regional conservation manager Andrew Baucke said.
But Moko's antics did not please everyone.
Last year a woman swimmer had to be rescued after Moko swam around her and refused to let her return to shore.
"We were playing around for a while but then when I wanted to go back in, he just wanted to keep playing. I became exhausted and started to panic," the woman said.
"The reality set in that I was out in the ocean with a wild animal and no people around, so I felt quite vulnerable."
Moko's fame spread in March 2008 when a conservation worker trying to rescue two pygmy whales trapped between a sandbar and the beach saw Moko approach the pair and guide them through a narrow gap to the open sea.
Conservation department community relations manager, Katrina Knill said there was growing public interest in what will be done with Moko's remains.
"This is really sad, a large number of people feel strongly connected to Moko. We'll be looking into what's most practical and appropriate over the next few days."
