He was recognised for preventing a mother pygmy sperm whale and calf from beaching themselves on Mahia Beach, south of Gisborne, in 2008. Moko seemed to communicate with the whales and lead them safely back into deeper water, sadly the dolphin himself was found dead near Tauranga on July 7, 2010. Time's list was prompted by a video which surfaced during the aftermath of Japan's recent earthquake devastation showing images of a dog who refused to leave behind another injured dog.