Field work for a project to better understand Hector\u2019s dolphins in the Otago region will restart this week.<\/p>\n
Hector\u2019s dolphins, also known as tutumairekurai, pahu, or upokohue, are endemic to New Zealand.<\/p>\n
They are one of the smallest dolphins in the world and known for their rounded “Mickey Mouse ear”-shaped dorsal fin.<\/p>\n
With an estimated population of about 15,700, they are managed under the Hector\u2019s and M\u0101ui dolphin threat management plan, which recognises four distinct Hector\u2019s dolphin sub-populations around South Island.<\/p>\n
The East Coast population is considered to be made up of a number of smaller local populations.<\/p>\n
Department of Conservation senior science adviser Anton van Helden said little was known about how the small Otago group connected to other populations.<\/p>\n
“Until now, conservation management for the small Hector\u2019s dolphin population in Otago has been based on their assumed connection to adjacent populations along the East Coast,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Recent genetic work has suggested that they may be more closely aligned with the South Coast sub-population.<\/p>\n
“By collecting high quality genetic samples, we can determine how closely related \u2014 or not \u2014 the dolphins in this area are to neighbouring groups and ensure they are managed appropriately.”<\/p>\n
The survey expands on work Doc started last year and builds on recent environmental DNA research by the University of Otago.<\/p>\n
“This raises important questions about population connectivity and exposure to and our management response to regional threats such as fishing bycatch impacts and diseases like toxoplasmosis.”<\/p>\n
The survey will use a well-established biopsy sampling technique, where a small, lightweight dart collects tiny skin and blubber samples from free-swimming dolphins.<\/p>\n
This method has been safely used on M\u0101ui dolphins for more than 15 years and provides high quality DNA with minimal disturbance.<\/p>\n
“The tiny samples we collect … will give us opportunities to understand genetic relationships, age structure, aspects of their diet and even reproductive status.”<\/p>\n
The survey would run from today to March 22, covering the coastline from just south of Oamaru to the Taieri Head.<\/p>\n
Surveys are planned for the Catlins in 2027.<\/p>\n
Sample analysis will be carried out in collaboration with the University of Auckland and mana whenua.<\/p>\n
Data collected through this work will support the long-term protection of Hector\u2019s dolphins and help ensure the species endures for future generations.<\/p>\n
People out on the water could report Hector\u2019s dolphin sightings using the SeaSpotter app or via Doc\u2019s online Marine mammal sighting form. \u2014 Allied Media<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Field work for a project to better understand Hector\u2019s dolphins in the Otago region will restart this week.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":319700,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[111,139,69,147,406],"class_list":["post-319699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wildlife","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-science","tag-wildlife"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/319699","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=319699"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/319699\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/319700"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=319699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=319699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=319699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}