Dolphin Diary – June 2016

DOLPHIN DIARY JUNE 2016

Hi Everyone,

Pollution

The month of June began with some concerning news regarding pollution in the Port River. Ripple’s first calf, Marea was born at the beginning of February last year. Sadly Marea passed away at only a week old. The body was collected and toxicology testing was done. The EPA recently revealed that toxicology tests that were carried out on Marea showed high levels of Perfluorinated compounds  (PFOS and PFOAs) in Marea’s body.

 

 

These results prompted the EPA to conduct further testing on 15 South Australian Museum specimens, some of the specimens were from Dolphins that were residents from the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary (ADS) and some were from Dolphins from the West Coast. The ADS dolphins had much higher levels. Perfluorinated compounds have been used in industry for a variety of purposes. They bioaccumulate, are transferred through the placenta; and are thought to affect kidney and liver function. The results are very concerning. At this stage we are unsure if these recent results are due to historical pollution or if this is due to more recent pollution entering the river.

It is very upsetting that the Port River Dolphins have high levels of these pollutants in their bodies. It is important we do more to look after them and their environment.

 

The Younger Dolphins

Doc and Hunter have been particularly playful lately. They have been spending a large amount of time at Garden Island. Garden Island is a beautiful area to watch the dolphins. It is surrounded by small trees called Mangroves. The Mangroves are home to a variety of fish, crabs, shrimp and mollusks and provide a safe nesting area for many sea birds. They are very important part of the ecosystem and help to make Garden Island a beautiful and special place for the dolphins to live. It is great to see Doc and Hunter so active and full of life as they spy hope, leap and play in front of the mangroves..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have also been fortunate to see one of the smooth fin mother dolphins with her calf a number of times over the month. The calf is now about 6 months old and appears to be healthy and growing quickly.

 

Some of the other Dolphins we have seen over the last month include Morgan, Lunar, Crystal, Hope, Josh, Marianna, Bella, Ali, Ripple, Bianca, Doc, Tallula, Ryan, Sparkle, Star, Tiffany, Summer, Bubbles, Twinkle, Rob Roy, Zoom, Harmony, MJ, Sophie, Sharpie, Proppy,  Danya, Boss, Rob Roy, Mouse, Hunter and Namor.

 

The Next Dolphin Diary will be at the beginning of August.

 

 

Best Wishes

Marianna

www.dolphindock.com.au