Notes

Why this book? -- What's in a name? -- Whanau (family) -- Distribution -- Understanding behaviour -- Friends and relatives -- Sounds and communication -- Dolphin biology -- Getting to know the dolphins -- Conservation problems and solutons -- What you can do to help -- What happens on a typical day of NZ dolphin research
Summary: New Zealand dolphins, also known as Hector's dolphins, are fascinating and beautiful animals. Found only in New Zealand waters, their numbers are now under constant threat - especially from human fishing activities ... The authors have devoted the last 30 years ... to intensive study of the dolphin's distribution, behaviour, biology, reproduction and communication, using photography as their principal research tool. They have identified over 100 individuals and recorded their life events. Several of these dolphins feature inside. Early on in their research the authors realised that dolphin numbers are not sustainable under current fishing practices. They describe these and other conservation problems as what is needed to ensure the dolphins' survival. (Publisher)