Māui dolphin
Image: DOC

Toxoplasmosis Action Plan

Introduction

Find out what we’re doing to address the threat of toxoplasmosis to Hector’s and Māui dolphins.

The New Zealand Government’s response to the threats facing the Hector’s and Māui dolphin is determined through the Hector’s and Māui Dolphin Threat Management Plan.

The Threat Management Plan recognises the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, and the disease it causes, toxoplasmosis, as probably the largest non-fisheries threat to the dolphins.

Toxoplasmosis is spread through the faeces of cats. AotearoaNew Zealand has no separate wild cat species but the domestic cat falls into three categories:

  • companiion (owned)
  • stray (unowned)
  • feral (unowned)

The Toxoplasmosis Action Plan is part of the Threat Management Plan and aims to support ongoing protection of the species by understanding more about the disease and its impact on dolphins.

Toxoplasmosis Action Plan

The long-term goal of the action plan is to reduce the amount of the parasite in the marine environment, so that the number of dolphin deaths caused by toxoplasmosis is near zero by 2035.

This action plan reflects consultation to date, and is based on existing scientific evidence, but it will inevitably evolve and change as information gaps are filled and we explore and test solutions.

Download the Toxoplasmosis Action Plan

Addressing the threat of toxoplasmosis to Hector’s and Māui dolphins: an action plan (PDF, 4,710K)

Related documents

Toxoplasmosis science plan

The Toxoplasmosis Action Plan required the development of a science plan. A series of workshops with key researchers and international experts that focussed on refining research objectives and identifying priorities were held, that resulted in the Toxoplasmosis Science Plan.

Report of the first series of workshops (PDF, 394K)

This series of workshops has resulted in the draft Hector’s and Māui dolphin Toxoplasmosis Science Plan 2021. Further workshops have refined the plan, and made some important additions to help address components of the Action Plan, notably partnerships with Māori, and the social science considerations.

The plan guides decision makers in DOC on the direction and focus of the science work required. Conducting this science will also require communication strategies and partnerships.

Hector’s and Māui dolphin Toxoplasmosis Science Plan 2021 (PDF, 488K)

The Toxoplasmosis Programme

We have received three years’ funding via a Budget 22 bid to action the Science Plan. The programme started in July 2023.

Given the critical state of the Māui dolphin population (54 individuals over the age of one, according to our last population survey), the Toxoplasmosis Programme’s research is centred around Māui dolphins. However, knowledge gained will also benefit the Hector’s dolphin.

Find out more about the programme and read reports. Toxoplasmosis Programme – Summary (PDF, 89K)

Subscribe to receive updates about the Toxoplasmosis Programme

Back to top