description Moko the Dolphin Overview
Moko was a solitary wild bottlenose dolphin that lived along the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. He became famous for his frequent, friendly interactions with swimmers at Mahia Beach and Gisborne. In March 2008, Moko garnered international attention when he intervened to guide two stranded pygmy sperm whales through a narrow channel back to the open ocean. He served as a prominent example of solitary dolphin behavior and interspecies altruism before his death in 2010.
help Moko the Dolphin FAQ
Where did Moko the dolphin become famous?
Moko was a solitary male bottlenose dolphin known for friendly encounters around Mahia Beach, Gisborne, and nearby parts of New Zealand's North Island. New Zealand conservation records place his regular visits between March 2007 and June 2010. ([New Zealand Department of Conservation](https://www.doc.govt.nz/moko))
What did Moko do for the stranded whales?
In 2008, Moko helped lead two stranded pygmy sperm whales back toward the open sea after human attempts had failed. The event made him internationally famous.
What species was Moko?
Moko was a wild bottlenose dolphin. Unlike a trained marine-park animal, he was a solitary free-ranging dolphin that repeatedly approached people.
When did Moko die?
The Department of Conservation records that Moko was found dead on Matakana Island on 8 July 2010. His public story is therefore tied to a documented period of interaction from 2007 through 2010.
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