Port River dolphin calf Squeak freed from fishing line entanglement

A young Port River dolphin has been freed from fishing wire that has been tangled around his mouth — in a 24-person operation that took several hours today on the Port River.

Dolphin Squeak with fishing line tangled around his mouth. Picture: Jenni Wyrsta

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A young Port River dolphin with fishing line tangled around his mouth has been freed.

Calf Squeak has had fishing line cutting into his beak, teeth and left pectoral fin for several weeks.

Marine Parks protection officer Verity Gibbs said the operation was a team effort and involved carefully netting Squeak and his mother Mouse in shallow water so the line could be cut.

Dolphins Mouse and Squeak are captured so fishing line can be removed from Squeak’s mouth in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Picture: Verity Gibbs.

“The mother was held next to the calf and both remained calm throughout,” she said.

“As the line had penetrated its skin, the calf was given an injection of antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection. It was also given a vitamin shot and we did some health checks.

“Both dolphins were released together and swam off.”

She said the operation was carefully planned due to the risks associated with netting and handling wild dolphins.

There were 24 people involved in the rescue — which was coordinated by rangers from the Environment Department — including a veterinarian, volunteers from the Australian Marine Wildlife Research and Rescue Organisation, marine scientists, a commercial net fisherman, Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary volunteers, SA Police and PIRSA fisheries officers.

It had been anticipated that finding the calf and removing the line might take several attempts but the operation was a success on the first go.

Dolphin volunteer Marianna Boorman said it was ”such a wonderful relief that Squeak is free”.

“The line had been cutting into Squeaks melon, jaw and pectoral fins and would have been very painful for him,” she said.

“We are all so thankful that the rescue went so well and that Squeak is now free of the line. “Rescues are incredibly dangerous and stressful for not only the dolphins but the people involved as well.

“If you are out fishing please make sure not to leave any fishing line behind and make sure that it is disposed of properly.

“If you are fishing and dolphins are nearby please reel in your lines until they have moved away.”