Endangered Species
Endangered Species: Hector’s Dolphin
The Hector’s dolphin, or cephalorhynchus hectori, is the smallest of dolphins. Located in the waters near the South Island, the largest and major island of New Zealand. A primary cause of the decline in population of the Hector’s dolphin is because of bottom-set gillnets, and trawl fisheries in the last four decades. Hector’s dolphins are attracted to trawling vessels so they constantly follow trawlers and often dive into the net which tends to cause death or serious injury. A secondary cause for the decline in population for Hector’s dolphins is toxoplasma gondii. A recent study shows 25% of the population of Hector’s dolphins die from toxoplasma. These two factors putting Hector’s dolphins on the endangered species list for decades now.
The Hector’s dolphin, or cephalorhynchus hectori, is the smallest of dolphins. Located in the waters near the South Island, the largest and major island of New Zealand. A primary cause of the decline in population of the Hector’s dolphin is because of bottom-set gillnets, and trawl fisheries in the last four decades. Hector’s dolphins are attracted to trawling vessels so they constantly follow trawlers and often dive into the net which tends to cause death or serious injury. A secondary cause for the decline in population for Hector’s dolphins is toxoplasma gondii. A recent study shows 25% of the population of Hector’s dolphins die from toxoplasma. These two factors putting Hector’s dolphins on the endangered species list for decades now.