Maui's dolphins: introduction

Earlier known as the North Island Hectors dolphin, Mauis dolphin has now been recognised as a new sub-species, seen here swimming underwater.

4 million New Zealanders... around 100 Maui's dolphins

With around 100 Maui's dolphins thought to be alive today, New Zealanders are their only guardians. They are listed as a critically endangered species (which means there is a high risk of it becoming extinct in the near future) on the World Conservation Union Red List.

WWF fears that this dolphin may become extinct within 25 years. This makes it the rarest marine dolphin in the world.

A sub-species identified only recently
The Maui's dolphin has recently been identified as a sub-species of the Hector's dolphin. The name of the sub-species is based on the Maori indigenous name for the North Island: Te Ika a Maui.

It has a distinct genetic and skeletal structure, as well as a slightly different body form, which have evolved over many thousands of years of geographical separation from the rest of the population. As a result Maui's and other Hector's dolphins are unlikely to breed together.