By Ingrid Hipkiss
Moko the dolphin, who delighted thousands of visitors over the past three years, has died.
See footage of Moko the dolphin here
The Department of Conservation is almost certain the remains are those of the four- year-old dolphin.
The dolphin remains were found on Matakana Island just a few kilometres from Tauranga harbour.
It has been a month since Moko was seen alive and it was an emotional reunion for Kirsty Carrington.
Did you get to meet Moko? Leave your tribute to the dolphin here
Ms Carrington has taken on the role of Moko's minder since he became a regular visitor to Whakatane.
“He was like a baby to me,” she says.
It is three years since Moko first delighted swimmers at Mahia Beach near Gisborne, and then he migrated to Whakatane and on to Tauranga.
See a photogallery of Moko's finest moments here
Thousands have joined him in the water.
“He was loved by so many people… he was just like a little kid,” Ms Carrington says.
But surfers spotted Moko on the beach at Matakana Island earlier in the week, confirming those who loved Moko's worst fears.
And emotions got even more heated when Department of Conservation workers arrived to take away his body.
Ms Carrington refused to let his body be taken and in the end, DOC agreed that would happen.
It is thought Moko has been dead for two or three weeks, with no obvious injuries it is not clear exactly what killed him; that won't be known until an autopsy is performed.
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