Cause of Moko's death still unknown

Experts are no closer to finding out how Moko died after a post mortem examination during the weekend.

Marine mammal pathologists conducted a necropsy and took tissue samples on Saturday after the dolphin's decomposing carcass washed up on Matakana Island, north of Mount Maunganui, last week.

Department of Conservation (DOC) spokeswoman Katrina Knill said today that the cause of death would not be known until midweek at the earliest.

"No obvious cause of death is evident at this stage," she said.

"We're all keen to get some answers but just need to be patient a little longer. The post mortem process usually takes up to two weeks, but staff from Massey and Auckland universities are trying to push it through as quickly as possible and we're really grateful for that."

DOC today appeared more confident the dolphin was Moko.

"We're as sure as we can be without DNA test results that this was Moko," Ms Knill said.

The department had previously only said the dolphin was "probably" Moko.

The bottlenose dolphin delighted thousands of people - and ruffled a few feathers - with his love of human company and playful antics in Mahia, Gisborne, Whakatane and Mt Maunganui.

Both Bay of Plenty and the northern Hawke's Bay are vying to be Moko's final resting place.

Iwi representatives from Ngati Awa, Ngai Te Rangi and Mahia had discussions during the weekend on where the dolphin would be laid to rest.

Talks would continue today and DOC would base its final decision on the outcome.

Meanwhile, a marine mammal protection group has expressed sadness at "flippant" responses to Moko's death.

Project Jonah spokeswoman Kimberly Muncaster said some people's grief had been exacerbated by people mocking and questioning their sense of loss.

"People react to loss in different ways and it can be painful to have your sense of bereavement questioned," she said.

"All we're asking is that people respect our sense of loss, even if they're not feeling it themselves."

Grievers should seek the support of family, friends and fellow Moko supporters, she said.

A Moko memorial wall had been set up on the social networking site Facebook.

Registered clinical psychologist Sally Davis said grieving was a personal process, and grief was no less significant when it related to the death of an animal.

"We all grieve differently and there's certainly no right or wrong way to grieve," Dr Davis said.

"People may feel a range of emotions, such as sadness, anger or guilt or experience a loss of appetite, lack of energy or find it difficult to sleep. These are all normal and healthy responses.

"Through the experience of grief people are able to adjust to loss over time."

- NZPA