Dolphin in shallow waters in north Auckland possibly injured

Friday, 13 December 2019

Project Jonah believes a young common dolphin swimming alone in the shallows at Big Manly Beach may be sick or injured.

A young dolphin lurking in shallow waters at an Auckland beach is likely unwell, a rescue organisation says.

The short-beaked common dolphin has been lurking alone on Big Manly beach on north Auckland's Whangaparāoa Peninsula since Wednesday evening, Project Jonah general manager Daren Grover said.

Common dolphins are an abundant, protected species and prefer swimming a few kilometres from the shoreline. They are especially common in the Hauraki Gulf.

The young dolphin, believed to be a male, has been swimming in shallow waters at Big Manly Beach since Wednesday.

The marine mammal rescue organisation believed the male dolphin was unwell given its unusual swimming behaviours. It wasn't normal for dolphins to be separated from their pod, he said.

**READ MORE:

Project Jonah volunteers will monitor the young dolphin in case it strands itself.

* Pod of 16 dolphins spotted in Auckland river may have been chased there by killer whale

* Project Jonah wants people to get involved

* We're interrupting dolphins' downtime, and it's wearing them out**

There were no obvious signs of sickness or injury, but Grover guessed it was either sick, had a parasite or suffering from blunt force injury – perhaps from a boat or jetski.

'It's not there for fun, it's there because there is an underlying problem.'

Project Jonah volunteers would be on the beach to track the dolphin due to the likelihood of it stranding itself, and requested residents leave it be.

'We'd like people to respect its space. If it approaches, stay in the shallows or get out of the water.

'Lots of dolphins live close to our coasts, be aware we are entering their home.'

Project Jonah has been caring for stranded whales and dolphins since 1974.

The charity works closely with the Department of Conservation at beach strandings across New Zealand.

Anyone who sees a whale or dolphin in distress should phone the Department of Conservation on 0800 362 468 or Project Jonah on 0800 494 253.