Kiwis undergo Challenge to save the last 55 Māui dolphins

New Zealanders take up the Challenge to save the last 55 Māui dolphins

Whether it’s running 55km, picking up 55kg of rubbish or baking 55 cakes, New Zealanders are helping to save one of New Zealand’s most endangered animals.

On May 5, WWF-New Zealand will launch ‘Challenge 55’ where people from all over the country will take part in their own specially-designed fundraising challenges to support the conservation of the critically endangered Māui dolphin.

WWF-New Zealand Senior Campaigner, Alex Smith said the focus of Challenge 55 was saving the last 55 Māui dolphins.

“Māui dolphins are little Kiwi battlers who are right on the brink of extinction,” Alex said. “Challenge 55 is about getting as many New Zealanders as possible involved to support the protection of these beautiful creatures.

“Māui dolphins are the smallest and rarest marine dolphin in the world – they are found only off the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island.

“We’re inviting New Zealanders to join us and take up a Challenge - the first step is to visit Challenge55.org.nz”

People already signed up to take a Challenge include TV3's Story co-host, Heather du Plessis-Allan with her '55 Minute Work-Out' and Antipodes Skincare with a '55 Second Beauty Challenge'.

“We're also delighted to announce the support of All Blacks Head Fitness Coach, Nicholas Gill; singer/songwriter Jamie McDell; and YouTube lifestyle guru, Ela Gale,” Alex said.

“The Youth Hostel Association and several universities throughout New Zealand are also enthusiastic about supporting Challenge 55 - it’s a really encouraging start.”

Challenge 55 is designed to raise awareness of the plight of the last 55 Māui dolphins and support WWF’s work to save them.

WWF’s work includes engaging with the fishing industry and government agencies to advocate for Māui dolphins being protected wherever they swim, and for fishers being supported to move to dolphin-friendly practices. WWF is also building a network of people who report Māui sightings – the more is known, the more that can be done to help them.

“It's time to act - we can save Māui dolphins if the New Zealand government supports fishers in Māui habitat to move to dolphin-friendly methods,” Alex Smith said.

How to get involved in Challenge 55.

1. Choose a challenge – no matter how big or small.

2. Create a fundraising page – to do so, visit: www.challenge55.org.nz

3. Get your friends and family to sponsor you – spread the word far and wide!
ENDS

© Scoop Media