Asia-Pacific News
Moko the dolphin's games a growing worry in New Zealand
Nov 30, 2009, 8:10 GMT
Wellington - The playful antics of Moko the dolphin, who has made himself at home off beaches on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, are becoming an increasing concern, a newspaper reported on Monday.
Moko injured two 12-year-old junior lifeguards when he knocked them off their paddle boards off Gisborne's Wainui Beach on Sunday, the Gisborne Herald reported.
One girl suffered an injured nose and the other a bruised hip. He had another go at the pair as they tried to reach shore on a club mate's surfboard.
Rama Robertson, development officer with Surf Lifesaving Gisborne, said, 'He's a young male dolphin just wanting to have fun. Unfortunately it's causing such a concern we encourage people just to be wary. Even though he's adorable he's also a very strong mammal.'
Experts have warned that Moko, who is with no other dolphins and likes to play with swimmers and surfers, is still a juvenile and will become more aggressive as he matures and becomes sexually active.
He sparked a marine rescue last week when a 16-year-old surfer was stranded 400 metres offshore after the dolphin took his surfboard.
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