Pathologists investigate Moko's death

MURRAY WILSON/Manawatu Standard

READY TO TEST: Massey University staff measure Moko before his autopsy at Massey University.

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Once her two children swam with Moko in Mahia and she spotted him playing off the coast of Gisborne.

Now marine mammal pathologist Wendi Roe will work with Stuart Hunter to determine his cause of death.

"It's sad for a lot of people, he's a real icon," she said.

The pair hope to determine this weekend what caused the death of the country's most popular dolphin.

But Moko fans may face disappointment due to the badly decomposed state of the corpse, she said.

"Often you never find out what's wrong, especially if he's been dead for a little while."

The Department of Conservation (DOC) believes Moko has been dead for two to three weeks.

Moko was just four years old – a teenager in human terms – when he was found dead on Matakana Island, near Mt Maunganui, this week. Dolphins normally live up to 30 years.

Common causes of dolphin fatalities include illness, infection, trauma from other sea animals and human factors, such as fishing gear.

The bottle-nosed dolphin's remains were sent to Palmerston North yesterday, due to Massey University's expertise in veterinarian science.

The marine mammal pathologists began the autopsy last night, and were expected to be finished today.

The team at Massey's Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences are experienced in conducting autopsies on dolphins, sea lions and seals.

They are often called on to examine the bodies of dead endangered mammals, such as hector dolphins, for research.

Pathologists look for signs of trauma, such as cuts, bites or bruising.

The dolphin is then opened up and its internal organs examined.

DOC officer John Heaphy brought Moko to Massey on a ute yesterday afternoon.

Sandford Fisheries donated a tuna container to act as a coffin for Moko for the journey south.

Mr Heaphy said DOC staff had found no obvious injuries on the dolphin.

"We are sure as we can be that it's Moko, we're just waiting for confirmation through DNA analysis," Mr Heaphy said.

Moko delighted beach-goers on the East Coast for more than two years.

"Moko was usually very good with people but he started to get a reputation of playing rough," Mr Heaphy said.

His death has affected people around New Zealand.

"It's very sad, but it's also good that we found him and it gives people closure."

The autopsy results will be released next week.

His remains will then be transported from Palmerston North to their final resting place.

DOC has not yet determined where that will be.

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