![]() Knowledge of foraging activity and diet can inform conservation strategies and influence the outcomes of conservation initiatives. Understanding foraging ecology is important for gaining insight into trophic relationships and resource use of animals, with foraging success critical for survival. ![]() The foraging ecology of animals can be influenced by variables such as prey distribution, predation risk, geographical location, local weather, sex and reproductive status. The isotopic variability observed here is not consistent with individual specialization, rather it occurs at the population level. Mixing models indicated relative importance of prey remained constant since 2008. The largest variation in isotope values occurred during an El Niño event, suggesting that prey is influenced by climate-driven oceanographic variables. We observed a decreasing trend in ∂ 13C and ∂ 15N values, but this was not linear and several fluctuations in isotope values occurred over time. We found isotopic niche space had decreased over time, particularly since the 2008 implementation of a Marine Mammal Sanctuary. ![]() Potential prey and trophic level indicator samples were also collected ( n = 166 15 species) and incorporated in Bayesian mixing models to estimate importance of prey types to Māui dolphin diet. Genetic monitoring associated each sample with a DNA profile which allowed us to assess individual and population level changes in diet. We analysed carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of skin samples ( n = 101) collected from 1993 to 2021 to investigate temporal changes in diet and niche space. We used stable isotope analysis to understand the foraging ecology of a critically endangered marine predator, the Māui dolphin. ![]() Understanding the foraging ecology of animals gives insights into their trophic relationships and habitat use. ![]()
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