Text bomb to keep moko the dolphin safe

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is planning to text-bomb thousands of New Year revellers heading to Gisborne with warnings of swimming with Moko as the ever-friendly bottlenose dolphin continues to cause waves.

Moko was in hot water on Tuesday after he sparked a full-scale marine rescue alert after stealing a 16-year-old's surfboard about 500 metres offshore at Wainui Beach.

He stole a second board yesterday and another surfer ended up tangled in his leg rope when Moko tried to pinch his board.

The antics have prompted DOC to consult Rhythm & Vines and BW Camping Festival organisers about warning the anticipated 20,000-plus revellers heading to Gisborne.

Ranger Jamie Quirk said DOC was looking into the possibility of using a text-bomb to target Gisborne's New Year visitors.

The thousands who will pour into the region at the end of next month were all young and "conventional media" didn't necessarily work with them, he said.

"The focus is particularly on the Rhythm & Vines crowd."

The plan was still in the early stages but he hoped to get the issue sorted before the visitors arrived.

Meanwhile, his recommendation for surfers and other beach users who encounter Moko was simply "common sense".

If Moko wanted to play with surfboards, Mr Quirk suggested surfers should let him.

"Moko is a wild animal and part of our message was not to give him toys. People have given him boogie boards, so it's just his reaction. He just sees them as something to play with," he said.

Surf Life Saving Gisborne manager Debbie Hutchings said the organisation was working with DOC to help get information about Moko on to beaches over the holiday period.

One thing considered was information bullet-pointed on sandwich boards when Moko was around.

Ms Hutchings said people needed to take responsibility for themselves.

"I'm sure it's all good fun playing with Moko, but there's a real risk and danger involved. That's his home, his backyard. Sure we use it for recreation, but people need to recognise that that's his home."

Ms Hutchings echoed Mr Quirk's reminder that Moko was a wild animal and anything could happen.

"The next thing is he will be the villain and then someone will have to do something about that, which is so sad."

- NZPA