Port River dolphin Star unable to eat due to fishing line and hooks wrapped around her mouth
Port River dolphin Star is suffering from a sickening injury due to people’s carelessness and conservationists want action.
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Yet another Port River dolphin is suffering from a sickening injury due to fishing line being tightly wrapped around her mouth.
Dolphin watchers have discovered Star has heavy duty fishing line and hooks cutting into her mouth which are preventing her from being able to eat.
She was first seen with the line around her mouth last Tuesday and dolphin watchers have been closely observing her ever since.
Conservationist Marianna Boorman said it was heartbreaking to see Star in so much pain.
“The line is cutting into her and would be very painful and stressful for her,” Ms Boorman said.
“If people are out fishing can they please reel their lines in if dolphins are nearby and wait until they move away.
“Can they please also make sure to take all their fishing line and rubbish with them and dispose of it properly.”
Star is the second dolphin this year to suffer as a result of becoming entangled in fishing line after a calf, Squeak, had to be freed in a 24-person operation in April.
Squeak – the only surviving calf born in the river last year – had fishing line cutting into his beak, teeth and left pectoral fin for several weeks.
He and his mother Mouse had to be carefully caught in a net and held together while the line was cut in a rescue which took several hours.
As a result of the campaign, a reduced speed limit of 7-knots replaced the previously unlimited speed zones in key areas of the Adelaide Dolphin sanctuary earlier this year.
The Messenger has asked the Environment Department if it is planning a rescue operation to free Star.