8 Dec 2009

Fears held for safety of dolphin

4:23 pm on 8 December 2009

There are fears that Gisborne people may take matters into their own hands after a number of incidents in which a resident dolphin has been aggressive.

Moko, a bottle-nosed dolphin, has been an attraction in the area for the past few years, but has recently been knocking people off their surf boards and making off with the boards.

Surf Life Saving area manager Debbie Hutchings says Moko has also interfered with competing surf life savers, water skiers and waka groups.

Ms Hutchings says she has real fears that someone may harm Moko and water users need to remember they are encroaching on the mammal's backyard.