Moko the Dolphin has been keeping a low profile since announcing his arrival in Tauranga harbour with a bit of a splash on Thursday.
After a little one on one with well wishers in Pilot Bay Thursday afternoon, Moko was next seen off the Ocean Beach on Friday where he joined some surfers and spent a while playing with a road cone that found its way into the water.
On Saturday he was seen near the fishing boat wharves, perhaps seeking the Eskdale.
Eskdale is the boat Moko followed from Gisborne to Whakatane, and last week to Tauranga.
Her skipper ‘Jack Sprat', believes Moko prefers a quieter life, and left Gisborne because of all the attention – and that too much fuss will see him leave Tauranga behind, as well.
Moko spent several years in Mahia before moving to Gisborne early summer 2009. He followed the Eskdale from Gisborne to Whakatane in January 2010.
The Eskdale crew swam with Moko in Gisborne before their departure. Sprat thinks Moko liked their gentle treatment, referring to incidents in Gisborne where the dolphin was given rough handling by eager onlookers. He was also given some rough handling in the Eastern Bay, where he was said to have been struck by a waka ama paddle.
Eskdale expects to be returning to sea sometime this week.

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