As much as I can tell you about how Moko died …
We don’t know much about how Moko died but this much I can tell you with a high degree of certainty:
Moko did not die by live stranding. Moko knew how to handle shallow water and the beach he ended up on is not the typical kind of beach for a live stranding. It is too steep with rough surf. Live strandings happen at very very slowly sloping beaches such as Mahia or Golden Bay. If Moko knew how to navigate Mahia he certainly would not have got stuck at Matakana.
No, he died in water and then sank. His body started to decompose. Dolphins and whales have so much blubber that when decomposition starts their organs cook (like in a crock pot) and gases start to form. The carcass bloats like a balloon and, at a certain point, the body floats and is pushed by the tide up onto the shore.
This is why I was so sure Moko was alive and out at sea … we never found a body. I never considered that he could be on an island; an island with no people. His body could have been on the island for some time before anyone found it.
I understand the reactions of people blaming the city but Moko moved to Tauranga by his own choice … we all knew it was unsafe and he was in danger. We had a report that he was on his way back to Whakatane, then we found out it was rumour and that he wasn’t seen in Thornton at all. The next day he disappeared.
Maya, 
CetiVet, and 2 others are discussing. 
Kerry 8:11 pm on July 14, 2010 Permalink
The one big thing that has me puzzled Chris is why Moko’s body hadn’t been partly eaten or picked at (forgive me if that upsets anyone) if he was floating at sea or underneath before floating to the surface and then washing up on Matakana.
CetiVet 9:22 pm on July 14, 2010 Permalink
If you have another look at the photo Kerry you’ll see that most of the skin from his extremities is already gone.
In retrospect it would have been good for me to have seen his body but, on the day, I just was too ill and too much in shock to really cope.
Kerry 11:10 pm on July 14, 2010 Permalink
Naturally! And for now I can’t look at that horrid photo either so I’ll just take your word for it
Paul in Seattle 10:28 am on July 20, 2010 Permalink
Thank you so much for posting this information. I know that the purpose of this blog was to record Moko’s life in Whakatane (and not his untimely death), but I (as with so many other people) are thoroughly frustrated at not knowing what caused his demise, and continue to search for clues as to what happened.
I understand that it is unlikely that he stranded or intentionally injured but what could possibly be the leading theories of what happened?
Finally, thank you again for your thoughts on the matter, and for providing us so far away with information on this remarkable dolphin. Clearly he was loved, and he will be remembered. That is the most fitting tribute to him, given the lengths that he went to interact, and to communicate with people.
Maya 8:55 pm on July 23, 2010 Permalink
Why is nobody mentioning the set nets that are outside the harbour at Tauranga and Moko’s broken jaw?
CetiVet 10:48 pm on July 23, 2010 Permalink
The necropsy made no mention that his jaw was broken. It certainly would have if it had been relevant. The report did say that his lungs were clear of fluid so drowning can be ruled out. I’ll try to find a link to the report for you.
Maya 5:04 pm on July 27, 2010 Permalink
When the Bay of Plenty Times visited the scene yesterday afternoon, the dolphin carcass was badly decomposed. The carcass showed no apparent signs of trauma however its jaw appeared broken. It is unclear whether this injury happened before or after the dolphin died.
and you could tell from the pics that his lower jaw was broken.
Paul Natanauan 12:34 pm on October 9, 2010 Permalink
may his soul rest in peace…
he is now in heaven with the other dolphin heroes, opo and pelorus jack…
Maya 4:12 pm on October 21, 2010 Permalink
Yes, Rest in Peace, Moko. I sometimes remember the vibrant hour we spent together, just the two of us, your exuberance and focus on me was a blessing I will never forget.