In February, two of our resident juvenile dolphins were observed by research scientist Dr Delphine Chabanne, with injuries that could have resulted from a boat strike. The dolphins were first observed in Cockburn Sound and then five days later, in the Swan Canning River.

Female juvenile 'Djinda' was observed with a cut to the right side of her body, below the dorsal fin. The cut is rather straight with no other injuries or marks around it. The second dolphin is juvenile male, 'Marnz', who was seen with two large cuts on the lower parts of his peduncle (before the tail). Both dolphins have since been observed by  Delphine while on her most recent survey of the Riverpark in April and she noted that the wounds appear to have healed.

Image 1: Djinda's injury on RHS of her body. Image 2: Marnz injury on the lower peduncle. Both photos taken by Dr Delphine Chabanne in early February

Some important information about safe Dolphin Watching

Whilst we love when dolphins pop up and surprise us with a close encounter, WA state government legislation is very clear about maintaining safe distances from dolphins. These include:

❌NEVER pursue, chase or follow dolphins regardless of the type of vessel you are on (this applies for boats, kayaks, paddleboards etc).
🐬Enjoy watching dolphins from a distance – you must maintain a distance of 100m if you’re on a vessel, or 50m if you are swimming in the water.
🛶If a dolphin surfaces near you or approaches your vessel, put your engine in neutral or stop paddling and when safe to do so, slowly move away from the dolphin until there’s a 100m gap.
🚤If a dolphin bow rides, do not change your course or speed suddenly. Instead, reduce your speed gradually and move away from the dolphins when safe to do so.
🐟❌Never attempt to feed or try to lure dolphins with food. It is illegal and harmful.

Please remember that chasing, pursuing and/or circling dolphins to force an interaction is detrimental to the dolphin’s health. You may be disrupting their foraging which can result in a failed feeding attempt, and they will need to spend time and energy searching for food elsewhere. You could also be disrupting an important lesson- we have 6 calves in the Riverpark, all of which depend on mum to teach them important life skills.

Please never offer dolphins food. Feeding dolphins is illegal under the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations (2018) and has harmful effects on dolphin’s health. Feeding dolphins can result in disease, higher mortality, decrease reproductive success and increases the risk of boat strikes and fishing line entanglements.

Photo by Sue Harper

We are on the search again for more volunteers for the Reel it In project! These fishing line bins play a vital role in keeping fishing line and waste out of our waterways. This project is completely dependent on the hard work and commitment of our volunteers! "Adopting" a bin, simply means emptying it, generally once a week. We supply everything you need to empty them! 

Around the Riverpark, there are a few bins still in need of adoption, these include Claremont Jetty, Canning Bridge and Keane Street Jetty (next to RFBYC in Peppermint Grove).

If you are interested in adopting a bin and want more information head to our Reel it in page. To register your interest please email us at community@dbca.wa.gov.au.

It's back!!📣 this "Take 2 minutes to #CleanOurRivers" board is popping up around the river to encourage foreshore users to pick up a bit of rubbish while enjoying the Riverpark this summer. Grab a bag and a grabber, and pick up some rubbish on your walk along the foreshore. No amount of rubbish is too little to make a difference! You can find this board along the South Perth Foreshore right out the front of Funcats Watersports who are looking after the sign this Summer! Thank you to the wonderful supporters at Western Australian Seabird Rescue, BirdLife Western Australia , and City of South Perth for their help in keeping our river clean and wildlife safe!

Our latest edition of the FinBook Guide is out now! See all the new dolphin calves and their names, see updated fin photos and some new visitor dolphins, and read about Akuna's story. Check it out online or pick up a copy at our reception 17 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington. 

Photo by Dr Delphin Chabanne, of Akuna and calf "Kaya"