SPOT A DOLPHIN INTRODUCTION TO PORT RIVER DOLPHINS
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Spot a dolphin
Introduction to
Port River Dolphins
For personal use | Version 1.0 | January 2013
FIS91853
ADS Action Group Assisting the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary (ADS) team are the volunteers of the ADS ACTION Group who give their time to help monitor the well being of the Port River Dolphins. This catalogue has been put together by members of ADS ACTION Group, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, and particularly, Dr Mike Bossley who generously share their knowledge to give everyone the opportunity to get to know the wonderful Port River Dolphins. We do not agree with tagging or interfering with the dolphins, instead we use a variety of non-intrusive identification techniques to help us recognise them. Recognising the individual dolphins helps us to keep track of the population size, their social structure and movement, enabling us to research and monitor them more efficiently. www.environment.sa.gov.au
Identifying Dolphins Three species of dolphin are found in South Australia: the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), found in coastal waters such as the Port River; the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), which live along oceanic coasts and in the deep water off South Australia; and the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), which may be seen in the gulfs but usually inhabit deeper waters. In Port Adelaide there are approximately 30 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins that are frequently observed in the Port River, with more than 300 of various species recorded as visitors What’s that mark on the Dolphin? During their lives, many Dolphins will suffer scratches, wounds or injuries to their dorsal fins or tail flukes. These injuries heal, but often leave marks which can be used for identification. Not all dolphins have visible body marks, so another technique we use is to record the shape of the dorsal fin. Some fins are shorter and more triangular and some are taller and curved. We can also look at the apex (tip) of the dorsal fin, some are pointy while others are rounded. There are many great spots to see dolphins from the land. Why not visit the Port River? Keep a look out and see if you can identify the Dolphin! Don’t forget to bring your camera! If you are out on the water, on a boat, Jet Ski or Kayak please do not approach the dolphins. If the dolphins are in a playful mood they will often come over to you but please do not approach them. Like us dolphins need to sleep, rest and feed. www.environment.sa.gov.au
Unhap
Born 1994
Unhap is often seen fishing for bream under the bridge that leads to Torrens
Island. He traps them against the fence.
He travels from Outer Harbor around to Garden Island, but has on occasion
been seen in the inner Port too.
www.environment.sa.gov.au
Twinkle
Born 2001
Twinkle is unique in that he is primarily identified by using the flukes of his
tail. He has been rescued four (4) times from fishing line entanglements.
Calf of Sparkle, his name was chosen before the sex was known, as is often
the case.
www.environment.sa.gov.au
Marianna
Born 2005
Marianna has a small nick in the middle of the trailing edge of his fin
and a slight slice off the top of the front of his fin. He is regularly seen
in the inner harbour.
Marianna is the calf of the famous dolphin Billie who used to swim with
race horses in the Port River. Marianna’s inquisitive nature led to him
becoming trapped in a small pit in the Penrice Soda Factory. Luckily he
was rescued and freed back into the river.
www.environment.sa.gov.au
Wave
Born 1991
Wave is well known for her outlandish behaviour. She’s famous for tail
walking and very large leaps.
She is also famous for surviving unaided severe burns which have completely
healed leaving only some small white scars on her right side.
www.environment.sa.gov.au
Ali
Born 2011
Ali is our amazing female Orphan. Sadly her beautiful mum, Millie passed
away when Ali was only eight (8) months old. Ali has amazed us all by
surviving against all odds.
Ali is regularly seen with Unhap and many of the other resident dolphins.
www.environment.sa.gov.au
Bubbles
Born 2009
Bubbles is a young male who’s well known for throwing the jelly fish around.
His mum and sister both have tall smooth fins, but as a very active male,
Bubbles has already got defining nicks in his dorsal fin.
www.environment.sa.gov.au
Crystal
Born 2009
Crystal is a lovely young dolphin. Crystal was named not long after he was
born and like many of our dolphins we did not know if he was male or
female until a few years later.
His dorsal fin is very similar, just smaller to his mum, Sparkles’ dorsal fin.
This leads us to question, do they Inherit their fin like we inherit our
dads nose etc?
Crystal can often be seen around Garden Island.
www.environment.sa.gov.auOriana
Born 2002
Oriana is identified using the small almost serrated section in the trailing
edge of her dorsal fin.
She has a large home range and can be seen throughout the river.
Oriana is a fun dolphin who we can help by trying to keep our waterways
clean, so that her next calf may enjoy a much longer and brighter future.
www.environment.sa.gov.auRipple
Born 2006
Ripple is the second calf of Wave. Ripple is our first, second-generation
tail walker.
She has a smooth fin but is identified using her relatively tall shaped dorsal
fin with the rounded apex.
She is also a little paler than most of our dolphins.
Ripple can be seen throughout the river.
www.environment.sa.gov.auBronny
Born 2002
Wave’s eldest, Bronny is a male who loves to fish and surf.
He’s often seen in the bow waves of the tugs and other boats, enjoying
the surf, he too seems to enjoy a sense of fun.
One of the reasons that dolphins are thought to be so intelligent is because
they do things just for fun, and it seems Bronny is no different in this.
www.environment.sa.gov.auHow can you help? You can help to look after these beautiful animals by remembering EIGHT important points when visiting the Port River and the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. 1. The animal inhabitants of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary are wild and un-predictable. 2. They are also protected by under the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary ACT. 3. Do not feed or approach the dolphins and stay at least 50 metres away. 4. If you are in a boat, observe the speed limits in the Port River (4 knots under bridges & 7 knots elsewhere) and keep an eye out for dolphins. 5. If the dolphins swim to your boat, slow down, and wait for them to pass. 6. If you are an angler, please pull in your lines when dolphins are in the vicinity and wait until they have left before casting again. This could prevent an entanglement or accidental hooking of a dolphin. Dispose of your discarded lines and bait bags responsibly. Many wildlife injuries are caused by discarded fishing gear. 7. If you see any wild animal in distress or a dolphin being harassed, please report it to the ranger. 8. If you see any pollution or bad behaviour, please report it to the ranger. www.environment.sa.gov.au
How can you help
– boaties
Approach distances for dolphins
300m
150m
CAUTION
ZONE
50m
300m
300m
60o 300m 60o 60o
NO NO
APPROACH APPROACH
ZONE ZONE
50m
CAUTION
ZONE
150m
300m
If you are out on the water, on a boat, Jet Ski or Kayak please do not
approach the dolphins. If the dolphins are in a playful mood they will
often come over to you but please do not approach them.
www.environment.sa.gov.auAdelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary (ADS), is one of a handful of places in
the world where wild dolphins live within a major city. Located only 12 km
from the City of Adelaide in South Australia, the amazing wild inhabitants
of the sanctuary include about 40 Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins.
The Dolphins of the ADS are protected by government legislation under
the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act (2005), which is enforced by a small
team of rangers.
To report distressed or injured marine wildlife,
call Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
Call 24 hours - 1300 650 411
(quote pager number 465 281)
To call the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and information about the
ADS Action Group, call 8240 0193 (Mon to Friday, 8.30am – 5.00pm)
For more information on dolphins visit the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary link on the
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources website www.environment.sa.gov.au
Supported by the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Natural Resources Management Board
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