Aug 21, 2025 · In 2017, NOAA Fisheries listed the Māui dolphin subspecies as endangered and the South Island Hector’s dolphin subspecies as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Hector's dolphin is the only cetacean endemic to New Zealand, and comprises two subspecies: C. h. hectori, the more numerous subspecies, also referred to as South Island Hector's dolphin, and C. h. …

Hector’s dolphins are threatened by habitat loss and fishing. Discover WWF’s work to conserve this rare marine mammal.

According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, North Island Hector's dolphins are "critically endangered" and South Island Hector's dolphins are "endangered".

One of the most endangered dolphins in the world, Hector's dolphin and the rare sub-species, Māui dolphin are only found off the coast of New Zealand.

Jun 29, 2022 · One of the world’s smallest and most endangered marine dolphins, the Hector's Dolphin is found only around the coast of New Zealand in isolated subpopulations. The New Zealand …

Aug 17, 2025 · The combination of persistent threats and the biological vulnerabilities of Hector’s dolphins creates a compounding effect, making their recovery difficult. Despite conservation efforts …

Hector’s Dolphin, Cephalorhynchus hectori, is listed as Endangered on The IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. It is endemic to the waters off New Zealand, and has one of the most …

Hector’s dolphin is listed as one of the Top 10 Most-Endangered Species of Cetaceans in the world at No. 6, and is designated as EN (facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild).

Unfortunately, Hector’s dolphins are currently classified as endangered, with their population declining rapidly in recent years. But why are these dolphins endangered, and what can be done to help …