After speaking with one of the most experienced penguin experts in Australia – Ken Simpson; regarding our feathered friend Kym – it is now confirmed that this little bird is in fact a Moseley Rockhopper Penguin – Eudyptes moseleyi.
These amazing birds are from both St. Paul and Amsterdam Islands west of Perth – approximately half way between Perth and South Africa and this little one is the only recorded “juvenile” to have hit South Australian shores since 2000.
These amazing swimmers arrive on Australian shores in late June to early July each year but rarely are they as young as this! The adults that do make it to Australia moult and once finished and water proof once again they take to the oceans and return to their home lands for breading.
Unfortunately, not one juvenile bird as young as this has ever been recorded as successfully saved and returned to the wild. Flippers crossed we can rewrite the record books once again…
Fantastic fundraiser once again!
The AMWRRO Black and White Ball fundraiser was nothing short of amazing!
With much needed funds raised and the night filled with great entertainment, auction items, presentations, live auctions, dancing and more, the night went off with a bang!
AMWRRO Black & White Ball Guests
AMWRRO would like to thank all those who attended and to our very dedicated sponsors for their continued support! Furthermore, AMWRRO welcomed two new sponsors on board and we look forward to working with you all in the future.Special thanks and congratulations to Tiffany Cowling (AMWRRO Secretary and Events Manager) for hosting the best fundraiser in our history and for raising much needed funds in order for AMWRRO to continue the extremely important work we do every day. To all Tiffany’s helpers – Fiona, Urska and the wonder volunteers on the night – from everyone who attended – Thank you!
The target was $50,000.00 to help build the first seal hospital in Australia – well once again Tiffany managed to pull that off and the funds are still rolling in – so far the night raised $50,200.00 – a huge first step for our seal facility!
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.
