Dolpin named by Justin

One of Bunbury’s youngest dolphins has been named Ariki, a Maori word for first born.

Born earlier this year Ariki was the first calf born to Arataki, a dolphin that lives in Leschenault Estuary.

Each year members of the community have the opportunity to name one of the new dolphins born in Bunbury’s waters.

This year 12-year-old Justin Musitano from Australind won the honour with Ariki.

Discovery centre marine biologist Phil Coulthard said the chance to name a dolphin was an honour.

He said about 10 were born in the Bunbury area each year, but only one could be named by a member of the public.

Other calves were named by researchers at the centre.

Justin researched Maori words and chose Ariki because it could be a male or female name as the gender of the dolphin was not yet known.

“I know the mother’s name was Maori for leader, so I looked up first born, ” Justin said.

“There were lots of words, but Ariki sounded like the mum’s name.”

Mr Coulthard said Justin’s name was “the hands down winner” of the more than 80 entries.

“There were two reasons it won, ” he said.

“It’s a Maori word and it sounds similar to the mum so it’s easy to remember.”