By George, the dashing dolphin that chases cats
08 May 2008
A dashing dolphin called George is charming boatloads of tourists at the Abel Tasman National Park in the northern part of New Zealand’s South Island.
George dances across the water at the sound of the Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles' catamarans for a scratch on the hull and a play in the wake, following the boats into Totaranui to the delight of passengers.
Crewman Alan Simms said George had been in Awaroa Bay for a few months.
"He's not interested in other dolphins. He's a solitary soul who has decided it is a nice place to live," Simms said.
Operators slow their vessels for George as he rolls against the bottom of the hulls.
"Often we will stop and George swims around, waiting for us to start up so he can follow us right up to the beach," Simms said.
He said George appeared every time the catamarans entered the bay.
George was named by an English tourist who looked a "bit down during her drizzly birthday cruise", Simms said. "I have a suspicion it was the name of her boyfriend."
Operations manager Paul Smith said George swam with pods of passing dolphins only briefly before jumping out of the water and chasing the boats across the bay.
Nelson Department of Conservation marine specialist Andrew Baxter said it was likely George was a bottle-nose dolphin, which were known for their solitary behaviour.
The most famous New Zealand dolphin was Opo, named after Opononi in Northland, where she became a drawcard for thousands of visitors in the summer of 1956. Opo, who juggled beachballs and beer bottles on her snout, made national headlines and inspired a popular song.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a dolphin known as Pelorus Jack accompanied ships between Pelorus Sound and French Pass in the South Island’s Marlborough Sounds. He disappeared in 1912, 24 years after he was first seen escorting ships.
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