Young dolphin stuck in the River Torrens outlet at West Beach

A young dolphin has become stuck in the River Torrens outlet at West Beach – but far from looking distressed, the cheeky marine mammal is putting on quite a show.

A young bottlenose dolphin has become trapped at the River Torrens outlet at West Beach – and has been putting on a show worthy of Flipper.

But far from looking distressed, the marine mammal has been performing leaps, backflips and tail walks, delighting onlookers from about 7.30am.

Director of operations of Australian Marine Wildlife & Research Organisation, Aaron Machiado said the dolphin may have swum into the outlet chasing mullet or bait fish.

Mr Machiado said the wild dolphin did not appear to be distressed and he expected the dolphin would be freed in the evening when high tide occurred.

A young dolphin shows off to onlookers in the Torrens outlet at West Beach. Picture: Mark Brake

The youngster has been performing backflips and tail walks. Picture: Mark Brake

An expert says the cheeky creature is not in danger. Picture: Mark Brake

The dolphin was caught by the low tide. Picture Mark Brake

A growing crowd descended on the outlet when the dolphin was first spotted on Friday morning. Picture: Jason Katsaras.

The dolphin’s fin breaks the water’s surface. Picture: Jason Katsaras

“Around six or seven tonight it should become deep enough for it to get out, it will get out,” he said.

Mr Machiado said the dolphin was opportunistic and would likely spend the time waiting for the tide to hunt in the deep mouth of the Torrens.

“Where the fresh water meets the salt water is a great spot for fish which naturally attracts hunters.”

Regional Coordinator in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, John Emmett said the occurrence was more common than many think.

“We get a couple of calls a year to say there’s a dolphin here and at the Patawalonga River, but with with school holidays it‘s attracted a lot more attention than normal, it’s a great thing for kids to see,” he said.

Mr Emmett said the dolphin was not showing any signs of distress and two marine park rangers were remaining at the outlet to make sure no members of the public interfered with the dolphin.

“It’s a healthy adult dolphin, we have lost a couple of dolphins in recent times in the nearby dolphin sanctuary, so it’s nice to see this dolphin healthy”

Mr Emmett said the dolphin was known by local Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary volunteers as ‘June’.

A state government investigation into the cause of ill health among dolphins in the sanctuary begun in September after the death of beloved dolphin ‘Doc’.

Excited beachgoers were thrilled to see the dolphin.

#Kingsley Allen, 68, has lived in the area for 45 years and said he had never seen a dolphin at the Torrens mouth.

“I’ve seen them come close to shore quite often but I’ve never seen them in here, people fish along here quite often so I’d imagine it has plenty to hunt,” he said.

Meanwhile, after 30 years of cruising the Port River, owners of the Dolphin Explorer announced this week Saturday would be its last day of operation after the vessel was sold.

Owners Chris and Alison Mitchell said the 700-people capacity vessel, which has been a familiar sight since 2005, would be moving away from Port Adelaide.