Maui's dolphin
Māui dolphin, Maui's dolphin, or popoto (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui ) is a subspecies of the Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori )—New Zealand's only endemic cetacean. Māui dolphins are only found off the west coast of New Zealand's North Island, and are now one of the rarest and smallest dolphin subspecies globally. A 2021 report issued by the New Zealand government suggests the population rests at 54 individuals, but when taking into account recent mortalities, the population could sit at less than 50 individuals. Both the Māui dolphin and South Island Hector's dolphin are threatened by commercial fisheries, including set-netting and trawling, recreational netting, and disease including toxoplasmosis and brucellosis. Low food availability may also be an issue for Māui dolphins, which may increase their susceptibility to climate change.
The word "Māui" in the dolphin's name comes from Te Ika-a-Māui, the Māori name for New Zealand's North Island. Māui, in both respects, refers to the Māori demigod Māui. The Māori word for a dolphin is popoto.
In English, there is currently not a consistent spelling; "Maui's dolphin" was the original spelling, but all four of "Maui's dolphin", "Maui dolphin", "Māui's dolphin", and "Māui dolphin" have been used in recent publications, reflecting a shift towards the use of macrons in New Zealand English. The standard spelling currently preferred by the New Zealand Department of Conservation is "Māui dolphin".
Māui dolphins have been observed playing (e.g. with seaweed), chasing other dolphins, blowing bubbles, and play fighting.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...