News

Ring of death!

Recently AMWRRO was notified of a young dolphin found entangled in a large rubber/plastic ring. If this animal is not found and rescued soon it will most certainly die a very slow and extremely painful death. AMWRRO has liaised with department officials on the west coast who will keep a close eye on all dolphins in the area and will contact AMWRRO when found.

The young dolphin entangled around the neck

The AMWRRO Emergency Response Team is currently on standby and will fly out of Adelaide as soon as the animal is found. A timely reminder that all rubbish belongs in the bin and most definitely kept in your boat when out on the water. Flippers crossed we can get to this animal in time!

Entangled New Zealand fur seal rescued

A lucky couple who live on Hindmarsh Island – Goolwa have over thirty seals sleeping on their private pontoon – of which is a wonderful sight, normally. However, several days ago they awoke to find one of their furry friends entangled in netting! This was reported to the Department for Environment Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) – Dry Creek who contacted AMWRRO for assistance. AMWRRO coordinated the rescue and attended hours later.

The netting now cut off

The seal was tranquilized and the entanglement removed. Fortunately for this sub-adult the entanglement had not yet cut through the skin and he was able to be released moments after removing the netting.Another successful rescue by the AMWRRO crew and DEWNR; working together and making things happen, before it’s too late!

Should you find an entangled marine animal please contact AMWRRO for advice and or assistance as we are a state wide service that can and will attend around the clock should the need arise.

AMWRRO volunteers are trained in marine wildlife rescue and we are always looking for new volunteers to help our precious and extremely unique marine critters when the need arises.

To become an AMWRRO volunteer and to get hands on with these animals – click here.

Whyalla Dolphin still alive!

Three weeks ago AMWRRO attended to a young dolphin in the Whyalla marina that was initially thought to have been hit by a boat propeller. Once on ground AMWRRO confirmed that the wound was in fact caused by a shark attack.

AMWRRO President Aaron Machado injects the dolphin with antibiotics – Photo thanks to Whyalla News

The dolphin was assessed and seen to be in good spirits considering the pain it was in at the time.  AMWRRO treated the animal on site with long acting antibiotics and yesterday received an update from the NRM Officer who called it in – Kate Brocklehurst. The dolphin is still alive and the wound is looking much better; this animal is still with its mother and is seen jumping out of the water, feeding and playing with other dolphins that entre the marina.

Kate will maintain monitoring this animal and update AMWRRO should the need arise.