Port River Dolphins’ Mystery Ailment
A gruesome ailment is afflicting the skin of two Port River bottlenose dolphins. The two dolphins, mother and calf Wave and Tallula, have lost most of the skin from the upper part of their flanks. The problem was first reported by members of the public on April 10 and first appeared sometime during the previous week.
Veterinarians with expertise in marine mammal health have examined photographs of the two dolphins and are uncertain as to the cause of the problem. However, there is a strong suspicion that the two dolphins have experienced serious burns, possibly sun burn or a chemical burn.
Dolphins can become sun burnt if they strand on a beach or mudflat for an extended period. Dr Mike Bossley of the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society, who has been studying the Port River dolphins for over twenty years, believes stranding is an unlikely cause of the burns. “Wave and Tallula are well known dolphins who do not appear to leave the Port River estuary. If they did become stranded in the area it would be very surprising if they weren’t seen by someone” he said. “At this stage it would appear they have been burned by scalding hot water or by a chemical of some type. Unfortunately, this would appear to be yet another environmental threat faced by these dolphins and highlights the need for environmental protection”.
The dolphins will be closely monitored over the next weeks. Dolphins show remarkable powers of recovery from wounds. There is hope both dolphins will make a full recovery but this is by no means assured.
Dolphin Wave is internationally famous for her spectacular “tail walking” behaviour, something she learned from Billie, another Port River dolphin who died last year. Wave has not been seen tail walking for the past week.
“A large number of people are now watching and photographing the dolphins on a daily basis and this is a fantastic contribution to their protection” said Dr Bossley.
Anyone with information concerning the possible cause of the dolphins’ plight is urged to contact Dr Bossley on 84403700.
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Photos of Wave and Tallula taken by Barbara Saberton