Nature is quite efficient and often times comes up with solutions that we would never think of when it comes to the surivival of a species. This happened in the case of the Maui dolphin who according to a recent survey is down to approximately 55 adults and juveniles. The problem with such low numbers is that genetic diversity can then suffer which makes them more susceptible to birth defects and diseases. Conservationists fear that such a small population would not be able to support sustainable breeding.

Another concern, according to Dr. Rochelle Constantine from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, is that “with such a dangerously low number of breeding females has been that the fertility of the population may be compromised, but our work shows that the number of pregnant females is within the expected range, which is encouraging.”

This encouraging news has also been bolstered by a very recent discovery, in fact the first ever documented case, that a species has taken advantage of the opportunity to increase the diversity of it's gene pool. By analyzing DNA evidence, scientists have discovered that two migrant Hector’s dolphins—a typically separate sub-species—have integrated and bred with Maui’s dolphins.

Man can add an assist to the survival of the Maui dolphins by analyzing tissure samples so that they can determine what kind of fish they eat on a regular basis and therefore be able to make an attemp to protect the food source for the dolphins. With both nature and man's efforts to find a solution, there just might be a chance that the Maui Dolphin will be here in the future.