Port River dolphin spotted with large wound, prompting calls for boaties to take extra care

Boaties are being urged to take extra care in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, after a dolphin was spotted with a large wound on its body, consistent with having been struck by a propeller. WARNING: IMAGE MAY BE DISTRESSING

Port River dolphin Cameron suffered an injury, consistent with having been struck by a propeller. Picture: Whale & Dolphin Conservation volunteer Sharon Sharp.

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A dolphin has been spotted with a large gash on its body, prompting calls for boaties to be extra careful in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.

Whale & Dolphin Conservation volunteer Sharon Sharp spotted the dolphin, known as Cameron, in the Port River on Sunday.

She said the dolphin’s cuts were consistent with having been struck by a propeller.

“One of the cuts is just behind the dolphin’s head and is very deep,” Mrs Sharp said.

“Fortunately, it does not appear to have cut the spinal cord or muscles.

“Nevertheless, the wound is very substantial and could lead to Cameron’s death.”

However, she said the healing capabilities of dolphins were “incredible” and she was hopeful Cameron would being able to recover from his injuries.

Cameron was swimming slowly when she spotted him between the Barker Inlet and the Outer Harbor breakwater, which made him vulnerable to again being hit by a boat.

“It was pretty gruesome and pretty upsetting seeing him,” Mrs Sharp said.

Tougher speed limits were introduced in key areas of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary in April last year, following the Portside Messenger’s Protect Our Dolphins campaign.

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Speeds were cut to seven knots throughout most of the North Arm and Barker Inlet, however, the area in front of the Adelaide Speed Boat Club and a channel running through the Barker Inlet remain unlimited.

Mrs Sharp implored all boaties to reduce their speed wherever they were in the sanctuary and to always be on the lookout for dolphins.

The Environment Department, which is responsible for the management of the sanctuary, has been notified of Cameron’s injury.