Our beautiful dolphin Moko was found dead today and I am devastated.
Moko's body was found this morning on the ocean side of Matakana Island, very near the Tauranga harbour entrance. It would seem that he has been dead for 2-3 weeks and with no obvious injuries everyone is wondering how (and why). Hopefully the necropsy will shed some light, maybe he ingested some rubbish or succumbed to a human virus, perhaps he was hit by a boat or caught in a fishing net. Although we may never know the cause, due to the bad state of his body. I just hope he didn't suffer.
Moko brought so much joy and pleasure to so many people, not only here in New Zealand, but right around the world. A very special dolphin, he will live on in the hearts of many who will hold dear their wonderful memories of Moko. He will also live on in the thousands of photos and videos and will be remembered and talked about for generations to come. Moko was, and will always be, a national treasure, he has become a part of New Zealand history and I feel very privileged to be able to say that I knew him. Thank you Moko for the precious memories.
Rest easy Moko, you were one very special dolphin and may there be a stockpile of boogie boards waiting for you in heaven. Gone from the sea but not from our hearts.
A beautiful poem that describes the joy of swimming with a friendly dolphin;
The Dolphin
by Kate Carr
Have you swum with a friendly dolphin
When the day dawns clear and bright,
And seen his welcoming leap of joy,
As you leave the harbour and pass the buoy?
That's pure delight.
Have you swum with a friendly dolphin,
Dozing under the noonday sun,
and stroked his belly so smooth and strong,
Or felt yourself being towed along
In elfin fun?
Have you swum with a friendly dolphin
In the sunset's fiery glow,
When every wavelet is tinged with gold,
And his silhouette, so huge and bold,
Is a graceful bow?
Have you swum with a friendly dolphin
As the silvery moon rides high,
And ocean and earth are bathed in white,
And the dolphin's aglow with a phosphorous light,
As he glides by?
Have you swum with a friendly dolphin
In the South Sea's rolling swell?
Or a choppy squall, as a cloud passed by,
And a leaden greyness darkened the sky,
And raindrops fell?
Have you swum with a friendly dolphin
And a boatload of friends of a kind?
The harmony linking you all, and him,
As you tumble out of the boat for a swim -
It blows your mind.
Have you swum with a friendly dolphin
And known your panic allayed?
Be it ladders or snorkels - whatever your fear -
Perhaps the oceans depth; once the dolphin's near
You're not afraid.
Yes, I've swum with a friendly dolphin
In the moonlight, the sun and the rain;
And the varying moods of the ocean swell
And my life will never - I know full well -
Be the same again.
Thank you FlyingKiwiGirl, I have enjoyed your blog, just a shame it all had such a sad ending.
ReplyDeleteI will never forget the wonderful time at dusk we spent with Moko swimming around us especially him coming right up into knee deep water to try and keep us from leaving him.
His lonely fin heading back out to his buoy where he would rest up for the night also stays in my memory.
I consider myself very lucky to have swam with our last remaining dolphin at Marineland, Napier shortly before she passed and then experienced swimming with our beautiful Moko. Thank You Moko may you rest in peace. Napier Aunty
Thanks for taking the time to comment, it's very much appreciated. It's was a sad day for all Moko followers in NZ and around the world.
ReplyDeleteMoko the friendly Bottlenose dolphin
ReplyDeleteHes a wild animal they said
from the ocean born and breed
a quirk of nature and creation
drew him near to habitation
Mokotahi, Mahia then Gisborne
as time went on he grew forlorn
Like many teenagers of this day
loud Rock music drew him away
Please come back
you will end up dead
with AC DC in your head
He spread his fins and travelled more
in the Bay of Plenty he came ashore
meeting Waka Ama
with shock and oar
Then he travelled further West
like many teenagers
he knew whats best
like Mataatua he came to rest.
With his affinity to heavy metal
he seemed for a while happy to settle
first on alloy then on steel
this little dolphin was unreal
I suspected what lay beneath
was there a problem with his teeth
He brought so many people joy
but several said hes just our boy
even though their own at home
often sitting all alone
Many lives he re arranged
Dr Phils time slot was now changed
constantly tracked with times and dates
no rest for Moko, thanks Bill Gates
Dont Mind me the Dolphin said
I know where its best to lay my head
unable to handle any more
he spread his fins to another shore
with AC DC in his head
just like a teen again was led
to the wayward West where we did dread
after 2 short months
he now lay dead
Little resemblence of his former self
morbid on a sandy shelf
No immediate rest natures intention
due to mankinds intervention
adoptive parents will not resolve
how Mokos future should evolve
Burial at sea should be his fate
so ownership claims can dissipait
Immortalised in stone is best
so for generations fond memories will not rest
we will miss you Moko
Phil van Dusschoten
Thanks Phil, you have talent! Great poem with many a true word. You'll need to add a new verse now that Matakana Island will be his final resting place :) Take care of yourself and look out for all of Moko's mates at sea.
ReplyDelete