Dolphin Marine Magic team lead wildlife rescue operation

A WILDLIFE rescue team from Coffs Harbour performed a special mission this week.

A wildlife rescue team from Coffs Harbour took part in Thursday's dolphin release.

A WILDLIFE rescue team from Coffs Harbour performed a special mission this week.

A dolphin was relocated from Sussex Inlet to Bendalong Beach on Thursday and was soon observed interacting with wild pods.

Three experts from Dolphin Marine Magic at Coffs Harbour Jetty were part of the team that managed the relocation.

Others involved included representatives from the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), SeaWorld, the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA), Dolphin Research Australia, and the RSPCA.

Back in September last year, three dolphins crossed the sandbar at St Georges Basin with one juvenile not able to return to the ocean.

NPWS have been monitoring the animal over the past months until it was decided that the animal was becoming aggressive and too familiar with the public.

The risk was too great to its health and safety from possible collision with boats for it to remain in the inlet.

As the dolphin was separated from her family group at a young age, it was believed to be seeking human company to satisfy that deep need for a social network.

Dr Duan March, veterinarian for Dolphin Marine Magic, provided the veterinary supervision and work for the rescue.

"The dolphin looked in good condition after it was sedated for medical assessment," he said.

"It swam away strongly after its release.

"It is always a concern whether an isolated dolphin is capable of social interaction with a pod.

"The good news is that after its release it was picked up by a local pod and seemed to be interacting well."

The Dolphin Marine Magic team headed by Life Sciences manager Aaron Tolley also provided the transportation, rehabilitation and release sections of the marine operation.

This is part of the ongoing rescue, research and rehabilitation work which Dolphin Marine Magic provides.