PELORUS JACK II

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 14, 11 October 1944, Page 6

PELORUS JACK II

Black-and-white Porpoise “For some months past a black and white porpoise has taken up its abode in the Hikapu Reach, Pelorus Sound, regularly visiting launches and playing about the bows as in the manner of the famous Pelorus Jack, which lived near the entrance to tho same sound and was last seen in 1912,” said the Director of the Dominion Museum, Dr. W. R. B. Oliver, yesterday. “The porpoise is a much smaller animal than was the original grey dolphin. Pelorus Jack. It is, however, of considerable interest, and if it remains in the area it has selected might appropriately be given the title of Pelorus Jack 11. ' “This porpoise is pale grey all over, except the flukes, dorsal fin, a crescentshaped mark (concavity forward) near the blowhole, and a broad band on either side between mouth and fins, all of these parts being black-. The scientific name of the species is ccphalorhynchus hector!, and the Pelorus Sound animal is a variety of this species, which lias relatives in South America and the Cape seas. This group of coastal porpoises can fie recognized by the dorsal fin being rounded and the snout blunt. There is no beak as in nearly all the dolphins.- Strangely enough, a South American ally has a piebald form differing, however, from the New Zealand variety, though in both the background is whitish and'the tail and fins are black. “I trust-that launch masters passing through the Hikapu Reach will do all in their power to prevent any harm being done to this interesting animal, which has spontaneously entered into association with man. Possibly, piebald porpoises previously have been seen , off the New Zealand coast, and 1 I should be glad to hear from anvone who has sighted them.”