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Hector's and
MÄ ui dolphins are the smallest and rarest marine dolphins on
earth and also New Zealand's only two native dolphin species.
But that could all soon change because commercial and
recreational fishermen are killing these animals off
rapidly. Gill nets and trawl nets have wiped these
dolphins out almost to the point of extinction, and it's all
because less than one-fifth of their habitat is protected by
federal law. At this point, fewer than 10,000 Hector's
dolphins survive, a mere third of their original
population.
Meanwhile, only around 50 MÄ ui
dolphins remain on earth, and only 13 of these are
breeding-aged females. In 2018, one of the last females died
just before she was due to give birth. Despite this, fishing
with gillnets and trawl nets is still permitted across more
than 80% of their critical habitats, making these
dolphins' extinction almost inevitable. It's long
past time for New Zealand to crack down on these outrageously
deadly fishing practices. Tell Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to finally
take action to extend protections for Hector's and MÄ ui
dolphins throughout their entire habitats! Sign the
petition.
Thank you,
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Miranda
B.
The Care2 Petitions Team |
P.S. Hector's
and Maui dolphins are barreling towards extinction. We must
intervene before it's too late. Sign the petition asking New Zealand to protect
their habitat now. |
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