last dolphin at Marineland dies » Marineland of New Zealand, Napier

Chlidonias · 22-12-2008

funny thing, at Mahia just north of Napier there's a bottlenose dolphin that's been entertaining people for free for the last 18 months
Dolphin too friendly for her own good - New Zealand, world, sport, business & entertainment news on Stuff.co.nz

Quote:

Moko the friendly dolphin has become so friendly she has taken to bringing swimmers fish - but she has been receiving some unfriendly treatment in return.

The three-year-old bottlenose dolphin has made Mahia Beach her home for more than 18 months, and has become a familiar sight socialising with swimmers and boaties.

Many a bodyboard, crayfish buoy and rugby ball have been taken out to sea, never to be seen again, as the cheeky dolphin continues to play on her own.

Others had been on the receiving end of Moko's generosity, Conservation Department programme manager Jamie Quirk said.

"She has actually been bringing fish to people. People have had kahawai and gurnard brought to them and some lucky people have had her bring them seahorses," he said.

Lately, however, some people have been "roughhousing" with Moko, scarring her skin with scratches caused by jewellery and sharp fingernails.

"We are a bit concerned that some people are getting into rough play with her - they jump on her back or grab her dorsal fin," said DoC Wairoa field officer supervisor Malcolm Smith.

"She can play rough right back - she's a big, powerful animal, she probably weighs 150 kilograms. She could damage someone."

Mr Smith said Moko appeared to be well-fed and healthy, despite all the human attention.

Mahia resident Bill Shortt has been watching Moko's movements since she arrived in the area at Easter 2007.

"Moko is getting tamer than ever," he said. "It's really amusing. She comes right in to the shore now, into only a few feet of water, to play with the children."

NZ Jeremy · 23-12-2008

Very groovy, the new Opo perhaps..?

Chlidonias · 23-12-2008

hopefully it won't end the same way....

Chlidonias · 23-12-2008

here's the news video about Moko the dolphin: Scoop: Moko the dolphin provides summer fun for beachgoers

Chlidonias · **more news on the Marineland story** 05-04-2009

from yesterday's news...
Marineland may get sea-view restaurant | Stuff.co.nz

Quote:

A resturant on top of Marineland's grandstand is the latest idea to help save the attraction.

The proposal comes from Wellington company 3D Creative, whose concept for a revitalised Marineland is being studied by Napier City Council as it grapples with the future of the tourist attraction without its performing dolphins.

Its remaining dolphin died last year and attendances have dwindled since then.

"The restaurant would look out over the ocean and towards Cape Kidnappers," 3D Creative managing director Craig Turvey said.

"I think it would be the only restaurant in Napier with a good sea view."

Mr Turvey's company presented its original concept to the council in 2006. Key features included underwater windows into the main pool and a landscaped, more natural look for the rundown complex.

Now Mr Turvey has refined the plans, adding a restaurant, after studying public submissions made during the council's consultation process.

The restaurant a space that could also be used for other purposes is the most significant addition to the proposal.

Another new idea is a raised pool for penguins, which are likely to become a feature attraction at the marine zoo if it survives.

Mr Turvey also proposes big windows in the seaward wall, so that people at Marineland can look out to sea, and a telescope by the gannet enclosure pointing toward the gannet colonies at Cape Kidnappers.

Originally he estimated the revamp would cost $4 million. Now he is working with quantity surveyors to get a more accurate figure.

"The cost of building this from the ground up would be astronomical, but we are making use of existing infrastructure," he said.

"We are budget-minded. It doesn't need to cost Napier ratepayers a lot there are great opportunities to work with sponsors and partners."

The revised proposals will be sent to the council next week.

3D Creative has also worked on a museum in New Plymouth, a Maori arts and crafts centre in Rotorua and a visitor centre at Franz Josef Glacier.

Chlidonias · 26-04-2009

Marineland is being closed from today, possibly for good. A decision is yet to be made on the fate of the animals there.
News video here:
Scoop: Marineland prepares to close to the public

Chlidonias · 27-04-2009

Show over at Marineland News - Yahoo!Xtra News

Quote:

Thousands of people took the opportunity to say goodbye to Napier's Marineland yesterday before it shut its doors for the last time.

The iconic tourist attraction is now closed to the public after operating for more than 40 years.

The council decided to close Marineland after its last performing dolphin Kelly died in September last year and it could not get permission from the Government to introduce new dolphins.

Friends of Marineland hosted a free open day for the public yesterday. A spokesman says it was a great way to show the council that Marineland is still treasured by the people of Napier.

The Napier City Council has received submissions on the future of the centre and will report back later this year.

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