Why not to feed wild dolphins!
The Whyalla dolphins have been fed for several years by local boaties on their return to the marina and these animals are losing the ability to fend for themselves and to remain as vigilant as they need to be in the wild in order to survive; two animals in particular have become more susceptible to alpha predators e.g. sharks as a consequence of this constant human interference.
The Whyalla council have in the past promoted this activity despite advice from AMWRRO to stop this immediately for the animals sake. AMWRRO has also notified The Department for Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) several times over the years, yet to this day nothing has been done to actively stop this from taking place. It is illegal to feed marine mammals according to the DENR Act.
Now the Natural Resources Management Board (NRMB) and DENR are working to rectify this problem by installing informative signs at the boat ramp in an attempt to stop this activity before it’s too late – however AMWRRO believes this should have been done years ago when first notified of the problem.
The local NRMB Officer on Thursday 7th June contacted AMWRRO and requested assistance with regards to an injured juvenile dolphin in the marine. AMWRRO personnel attended the following morning and identified a large wound on the dolphins head to be that of a shark bite. The melon of the dolphin was not badly affected – however infection is what will kill this young dolphin if not treated.
AMWRRO administered a large dose of long acting antibiotics into the young dolphin under the watchful eyes of DERN, NRM and Fisheries officers. Flippers crossed this animal will survive this attack and those who are responsible for feeding it will finally understand how their actions (as well intended as they are) must stop in order for these animals to remain as wild as possible and therefore more vigilant and self-supportive in the wild, verses that of relying on humans for food and therefore survival.
