KEY POINTS:
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is warning people to be careful around a dolphin which has been visiting Mahia, near Gisborne.
Moko, a bottlenose dolphin, has been in the bay at Mahia Beach and nearby Waikokopu Wharf since April last year and has formed close bonds with the locals and astounded visitors with her love for games and people.
DOC marine ecologist Debbie Freeman told NZPA dolphins were generally placid, but could be aggressive.
"It is a really good opportunity to observe and learn about the animal .. . but people need be aware of the risks ...
"Like any wild animal they are unpredictable. It may be quite calm and passive one moment and can turn very easily."
People should not touch it and try to keep at a distance of about 5m.
"People are more than entitled to swim with the dolphin, but they shouldn't be grabbing hold of it and disturbing it or harassing it in that way."
Bottlenose dolphins were large - measuring about three to four metres - and powerful, Ms Freeman said.
"They would be very capable of hurting somebody especially if people are holding onto it they could be very easily dragged under water - so it is very risky."
Dolphins could also carry diseases, which could be passed onto humans, she said.
"We don't recommend touching or handling any marine mammal alive or dead."
Dolphins had been known to get aggressive if there was a young dolphin in the pod and if they were feeling a bit amorous, she said.
If a dolphin did get aggressive people just needed to recognise that it was wild animal, Ms Freeman said.
"It's in its element and you're a visitor to the ocean so just respect it and give it space."
Marine mammal protection regulations were "very clear" that people should not be disturbing and harassing any marine mammal, Ms Freeman said.
Marine mammals had been known to hang around a particular area every now and then for a number of reasons including resting or feeding, she said.
Opo a female bottlenose dolphin was a regular visitor to Opononi on the Hokianga Harbour in Northland from June 1955 until her death in March 1956.
She enchanted locals and became a magnet for holidaymakers.
Pelorus Jack, a risso dolphin which was first noticed in 1888, accompanied ships travelling between Wellington and Nelson for 24 years.
He enjoyed swimming up against the boats and riding their bow waves and became a tourist attraction - visited by American writer Mark Twain.
Mystery surrounded the deaths of both dolphins.
Opo was found jammed in a crevice between rocks and some people suggested she had been killed by fishermen using gelignite.
Many people believed Pelorus Jack had been harpooned by Norwegian whalers, anchored off the entrance to Pelorus Sound in late April 1912.
Mahia local Jill Austin said she and Moko had played together and had a lot of fun. She would often hold onto Moko's fins and they would float together.
"She is always talking under water and blows little bubbles," Ms Austin told The Gisborne Herald.
"She is really cuddly. I get out of the dinghy and she nudges me to play with her - so I do until I am cold and blue."
Bill Shortt made friends with Moko in March.
"She would follow me out on my boat most mornings to put out the crayfish pots and I had a ball for her that she used to play with," Mr Shortt told the paper.
He was concerned for her safety.
"DOC have been worried about some nasty scars she probably got from an outboard motor which have healed up now."
- NZPA
