Dolphin spotted ‘wearing’ singlet alarms wildlife authorities
ON AUSTRALIA DAY MORNING, the Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPAW) was alerted to a bottlenose dolphin spotted wrapped in a singlet in Koombana Bay, in Bunbury, Western Australia.
The singlet or T-shirt – which is covering the dolphin’s dorsal fin – is likely to have been placed on the dolphin intentionally, DPAW said in a statement published on its Facebook page yesterday.
“This could have been catastrophic for the dolphin if it had covered its blow hole and restricted its breathing,” the statement said.
Unfortunately, the dolphin has not been spotted since and anyone who sees the dolphin is encouraged to contact the Parks and Wildlife Bunbury office (08 9725 4300) or call the Wildcare Helpline (08 9474 9055) to report its location, and have been asked not to approach the animal.
Under the Wildlife Conservation Act, the penalty for an act like this is about $4000.
Anyone who sees the dolphin is encouraged to report its location to authorities. (Image: Department of Parks and Wildlife, WA)
