Opo (dolphin)

Opo entertains visitors in 1956

Opo was a bottlenose dolphin who became famous throughout New Zealand during the summers of 1955 to 1956 for playing with the children of the small town of Opononi on the Hokianga harbour.[1]

Opo was a wild dolphin that started following fishing boats around Opononi in early 1955.[2] She was originally named "Opononi Jack", based on Pelorus Jack, since she was presumed to be male. Unlike the majority of dolphins, she had no qualms about human company, and would perform stunts for locals, play with objects like beach balls and beer bottles, and allow children to swim alongside her and make contact.[1]

Māori children were more reluctant to play with Opo, as cultural beliefs said the dolphin was a messenger from Kupe.[3]

The dolphin became a local celebrity but news of her soon spread, and visitors from throughout the country would come to watch her. On 8 March 1956 official protection for Opo, requested by locals, was made law, but on 9 March she was found dead[4] in a rock crevice[1] at Koutu Point. There were suggestions that she had become stranded while fishing, or that she had been killed by fishermen fishing with gelignite.[1][3] Her death was reported nationwide, and she was buried with full Māori honours in a special plot next to the Opononi War Memorial Hall.[3]

  1. ^ a b c d "Death of Opo the friendly dolphin – NZHistory, New Zealand history online". Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Opo". An Encyclopedia of New Zealand 1966. 1966. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "NZ Folk Song * Opo the Dolphin". Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  4. ^ Hutching, Gerard (6 November 2009). "Opo at play". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 8 July 2010.