Deltanine

Moko the friendly dolphin has become so friendly she has
taken to bringing swimmers fish - but she has been receiving some
unfriendly treatment in return.

The three-year-old bottlenose dolphin has made Mahia Beach
her home for more than 18 months, and has become a familiar sight
socialising with swimmers and boaties.

Many a bodyboard, crayfish buoy and rugby ball have been taken out
to sea, never to be seen again, as the cheeky dolphin continues to play
on her own.

Others had been on the receiving end of Moko's generosity, Conservation Department programme manager Jamie Quirk said.

"She has actually been bringing fish to people. People have had
kahawai and gurnard brought to them and some lucky people have had her
bring them seahorses," he said.

Lately, however, some people have been "roughhousing" with Moko,
scarring her skin with scratches caused by jewellery and sharp
fingernails.

"We are a bit concerned that some people are getting into rough play
with her - they jump on her back or grab her dorsal fin," said DoC
Wairoa field officer supervisor Malcolm Smith.

"She can play rough right back - she's a big, powerful animal, she probably weighs 150 kilograms. She could damage someone."

Mr Smith said Moko appeared to be well-fed and healthy, despite all the human attention.

Mahia resident Bill Shortt has been watching Moko's movements since she arrived in the area at Easter 2007.

"Moko is getting tamer than ever," he said. "It's really amusing.
She comes right in to the shore now, into only a few feet of water, to
play with the children."