A wild dolphin stuck in a river outlet is “showing off” for beachgoers west of Adelaide this morning, but experts have warned people not to approach it.
Key points:
- The dolphin likely became stuck in the river outlet when the tide went out
- Marine expert Aaron Machado says it is safe in there and should not be approached
- It has been performing tricks it learned from a companion who was likely captive at one point
Wildlife experts believe the dolphin got washed into the River Torrens outlet at West Beach during high tide early this morning, before becoming stuck when the tide went out.
Since then, it has been seen frolicking in the water, doing backflips and tail walking in front of a crowd.
ABC Radio Adelaide’s Spence Denny said the dolphin did not appear to be injured and should be able to swim back out to sea at high tide this evening.
Local resident Jason said he had been watching the dolphin since the early hours of the morning.
“He’s come through obviously there’s some fish here, so he’s been hanging around having a good feed like they do,” he said.
He said it was common to see dolphins in the area, and that this one had been “showing off for the crowd” by doing flips.
‘Please don’t intervene’, expert says
Australian Marine Wildlife Research & Rescue Organisation’s Aaron Machado said it was important for people not to intervene or try to help the dolphin.
“It’s not the first time it’s happened and it won’t be the last.
“It’s brackish water, so I know a lot of people have called saying they’re concerned with the water quality.
“It’s not perfect, there is a small flow of water coming out of the Torrens but it’s brackish water so it’s a mixture of sea and fresh and the animal can sustain itself in that for 48 hours, not a problem.”
Dolphin likely learned tricks from ‘Marineland’ companion
Mr Machado said the tail walking the dolphin had been doing in front of crowds this morning was a learned behaviour that it likely picked up from a fellow dolphin in its pod.
“This dolphin could very well have interacted with those dolphins from the Port River,” he said.
“There’s quite a few dolphins in the Port River who have done that themselves.
“That’s where she learnt that behaviour we believe and she’s passed that onto to others.”