№ 19 of 100
Māui Dolphin
Cephalorhynchus hectori maui
The world's smallest dolphin subspecies — about 54 remain off one coastline of New Zealand.
- Range
- New Zealand
- Region
- Oceania
- Habitat
- Shallow coastal waters off the west coast of New Zealand's North Island
The story
Māui dolphins are small enough to mistake for a child's bodyboard and live their whole lives within sight of New Zealand beaches. Net bans now cover much of their range, but toxoplasmosis washing from land and any remaining gillnetting could still tip a population that produces only a handful of calves each year.
What's killing them
- Gillnet and trawl bycatch
- Disease (toxoplasmosis from cat-borne runoff)
- Tiny population
Who's fighting for them
NZ Dept. of ConservationNew Zealand Department of Conservation
WWFWorld Wide Fund for Nature
IUCN Red ListInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — Species Survival Commission
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Quick answers
How many Māui Dolphins are left in the world?
Approximately ~54. The Māui Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and their population trend is stable. Figures are estimates compiled from the IUCN Red List and conservation organisations.
Where does the Māui Dolphin live?
The Māui Dolphin is found in New Zealand (Oceania). Their habitat: Shallow coastal waters off the west coast of New Zealand's North Island.
Why is the Māui Dolphin endangered?
The main threats to the Māui Dolphin are: Gillnet and trawl bycatch; Disease (toxoplasmosis from cat-borne runoff); Tiny population.
Who is working to save the Māui Dolphin?
Organisations working on Māui Dolphin conservation include New Zealand Department of Conservation; World Wide Fund for Nature; International Union for Conservation of Nature — Species Survival Commission.