A few nights ago, I had a really sad evening. I switched on the Computer, and flicked through all my usual haunts. I got to Stuff and that's when I saw it. A Dolphin had washed up on a beach. That Dolphin was most probably Moko. Many people knew Moko to be a super friendly social & mischievous character. He would crave human affection. In the summer he would bask in the population of Mahia Beach, playing with Swimmers, stealing boogie boards and accompanying Kayaks. When I was in Mahia in the Summer of early 2009, a Fisherman told me about his encounters with Moko. The Fisherman was not a huge Moko fan as, Moko would like to play tricks on the Fisherman when he went to collect his catch from his Cray Pots. Moko would see the Fisherman's boat and head straight over to where he had left his Pots. Just before the fisherman could hoist the Cray Pots up to the surface, Moko would grab the Cray Pot, and pull it back down. This was not only an annoying ritual for the Fisherman, it was also costly, because as Moko submerged the Pots deeper, many of the Crayfish were released back in to the Ocean.
Although Moko was cheeky, he was also a loving spirit.
Moko's once guided two pygmy sperm whales out to sea when they almost beached themselves at Mahia.
So why am I so saddened by the passing of a Dolphin? Well I've briefly blogged about this before (and here), but I've never gone in to great detail about my personal experience with Moko. As soon as I read the news that he had died, I knew I wanted to Blog about it, and wondered why I hadn't done so earlier.
So here it is...
In early 2009 Brads Parents, Sisters, Brad & I went on a family holiday to Mahia. We stayed in a Holiday Home and spent the week eating ice-cream, swimming, sunning and fishing. It was a great Holiday. Brads Sister Laura is quite "Dolphin-Keen" and she had told me of a friendly Dolphin Moko, who often swam around the Bay.
On our first afternoon at Mahia, we encountered Moko down at the Main beach. There were swarms of people all trying to get close to Moko. I got to touch him ever so slightly. Laura managed to get a good hand to him.
The next day we headed in to Wairoa, the closest Town base to the beach. We went to the $2 shop and bought things to lure Moko in to our direction. Things such as Beach Balls Noodles and other floating devices. We became Dolphin obsessed. After many, many sightings and a good few days, the novelty had almost worn off. By this time, we were nearing the end of our Holiday. It was Mine & Brad's last night in Mahia. Laura & Brad's other sister Bex had left for home, and his Parent's planned to leave a few nights after us.
After dinner on our last night at the beach Brads Parents accompanied us down to the beach for a walk. The sun was setting and although there was a chilly breeze it was fairly warm still. As we made our way further and further down the Beach, we could make out to Figures in the ocean playing around. Two guys were in the water, knee deep, holding a paddle in the air for Moko the Dolphin to try and reach. We stood in awe. How amazing. We kept telling each other over and over how amazing it all was, and how it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. After a few minutes, I said "Stuff this, I'm going in." Brad's Dad politely said he would turn around and not look, if I wanted to take my shorts off and go in my gruts. I said that would have been a god idea if I wasn't wearing white cotton briefs. So I rolled up my denims and in I went. I looked over my shoulder, and both Brad & his Mum were transforming their own outfits in to swimwear.
After a power struggle with the two men, we finally got close enough to touch Moko. And after a very very short time a large pregnant Woman came running down the beach. She was yelling that it was her Boat paddle and that Moko had held it hostage for the last four hours. The boys gave it back to the woman, and left the water, leaving us three alone with Moko.
Moko swam at us, nudging us to pet him and be playful with him. Just as a dog or cat rubs against you when they want attention, Moko did the same. And he loved the human affection. He felt to soft and squishy, but silky, not slimy like I had imagined. His skin felt like wetsuit material. His eyes were happy and bright and his tail was swift and very, very strong.
I left the water feeling so happy and alive. I felt as though anything were possible in that moment.
Although my experience with Moko made me feel happy and lucky, part of me was also quite sad. I knew that it was in fact a once in a lifetime experience and the chances of it happening again were very, very slim to none. I hoped that there would always be people around to love and care for Moko - even in the winter months.
Moko the Dolphin.
I hope that his spirit is at rest and he can rest contently knowing that he brought so much joy to so many people - me included.
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