Another success case released after just over two months of care at AMWRRO’s Rehabilitation Facility on Torrens Island.

Elmo our bouncing baby Southern Elephant seal was released on the 10th May 2013 at 8am in the States Lower Southeast district after receiving treatment that surly saved his life.

His initial weight was 55kg and after two months of care Elmo weighed in at a staggering 90kg plus on release – gaining over 35kg in only 9 weeks.

Special thanks to all those AMWRRO volunteers that assisted with his rescue, rehabilitation and release. Flippers crossed he will be making his way back to his home island and lives a long safe life where he belongs.

To watch his release video click here

Confirmed Morbillivirus found in dead dolphins raises concerns that hundreds more animals may be affected within South Australia in coming months.

The first confirmed report of dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) in South Australia!

Independent investigations into recent dolphin deaths performed by AMWRRO and The University of Adelaide’s School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences have identified concurrent dolphin morbillivirus and systemic fungal infection as the cause of death in two juvenile dolphins found deceased along the South Australian coast. Results of these findings have been provided to the recent task force appointed by the State Government to assist in investigation of the cause of other dolphin mortalities.

These two dolphins were recovered from the Adelaide metro coast by AMWRRO and postmortems conducted by veterinary pathologists at The University of Adelaide’s School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Roseworthy.  Virological testing was performed by CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong

This is the first report of dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) in South Australia!

Morbilliviruses have emerged as potent pathogens of pinnipeds and cetaceans, with four morbilliviruses known to infect various speciesof marine mammals: Phocine distemper virus (PDV), porpoise morbillivirus (PMV), dolphin morbillivirus (DMV), and pilot whale morbillivirus. DMV has been previous implicated in death and morbidity of juvenile dolphins in Queensland, northern NSW and Western Australia. Outside of Australia, morbillivirus have also been implicated in major die-offs among marine mammals.

Rescued from deaths door! Holly, the Loggerhead turtle that was found beach washed in the States Lower South East, suffering from hypothermia, dehydration, emaciation and a gastrointestinal blockage after eating plastic has finally started her journey home.

After several months of rehabilitation; today Holly was loaded into her transport box and joined the mile-high club on a flight back to Queensland.  Holly will be taken to SeaWorld for a few days before being released off shore with other marine turtles that have undergone similar rehabilitation treatments by the dedicated team of vets and rehabilitation staff at SeaWorld.

Dedicated AMWRRO Volunteers see Holly off. From left to right Wenonah, Adel (holding Holly) and Amber

Special thanks to Caroline Western (the fantastic vet who initially stabilized the animal down south before transporting it to AMWRRO), the entire AMWRRO crew for dedicating so much time and effort into her rehabilitation, David and Jenna C/o SeaWorld for assisting in her release back to the wild.