Dolphins Galore
We have been privileged over recent weeks to share awesome dolphin viewing with our passengers.
Pods of in excess of 400 Dusky Dolphins have been observed and on many days we have had both Dusky Dolphin and the rare Hector's Dolphin viewing right next to the boat. On some occasions their have been Hector's on one side of the boat and Duskys on the other!!
The small Hector's Dolphin (approx 1 metre long) with their distinctive round dorsal fin is an endangered species and the subject of considerable research to assist in their conservation. This includes identifying individual animals (often from marks on their dorsal fins) and those seen recently from the Monarch include Scratchy, Drips, Spots, Moley, 4'Oclock, 2 Nicks, Battleaxe and Claw.
Dusky Dolphins are around 2 metres in length and weigh in the order of 100kg.They have two white streaks which run diagonally from the tail to their short, blunt dorsal fin and are known to form large, widespread schools.
To view a larger copy please click on the thumbnails.
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Corner Wharf & Fryatt Streets
PO Box 383, Dunedin, New Zealand
Phone +64 3 477 4276 · Fax +64 3 477 4275
Email: monarch@wildlife.co.nz
For TOLL FREE advance reservations,
phone 0800 MONARC (666 272) within New Zealand
