A cheeky dolphin has been released from a Tallebudgera Creek swimming enclosure

A NAUGHTY little dolphin calf feasted on fresh mullet after sneaking into a swimming enclosure in Tallebudgera Creek for at least five hours today before he was released.

A little dolphin trapped in a swimming net at Tallebudgera Creek. PHOTO: Regi Varghese

A NAUGHTY little dolphin calf feasted on fresh mullet after sneaking into a swimming enclosure in Tallebudgera Creek for at least five hours today before he was released.

Authorities were called when early morning swimmers realised they were sharing the enclosure with the three-year-old marine mammal at about 5.45am.

Witnesses said the little fella was even chasing fish up onto the beach while it’s mother waited patiently outside the enclosure until he was freed by Council and Sea World staff at 10am.

A dolphin stranded at the swimming enclosure, Tallebudgera, Gold Coast. Photo: Regi Varghese

Sea World dolphin trainer and rescuer Andy Mulville said the dolphin received a stern talking to from mum when it swum out of the enclosure after crews unhitched and opened up the netting.

“It got a bit of a talking to from mum in the creek after it was released,” Mr Mulville said.

“They went straight into a mother and calf position with the little one swimming under her fin,” he said.

“They were relatively calm, they only started swimming up and down the net towards the end.”

The smaller dolphin is thought to have either swam under the enclosure netting during unusually high tides caused by last night’s “super moon”.

Mr Mulville said there has been some reports of dolphins jumping over the top of the inflatable enclosure which could have been another way into the enclosure.

“They seem like they are resident animals seen in the creek all the time,” Mr Mulville said.

With the enclosure so close to a busy boat ramp in the area he said the rescue was a good reminder for boaties to take it easy in the area.

“There is so much amazing marine life in the area, some of the dolphins even use the nets (on the swimming enclosure) to catch fish by chasing them up against it,” he said.

“The little guy has probably got a little excited and chased the fish all the way underneath the net.”

A dolphin stranded at the swimming enclosure, Tallebudgera, Gold Coast. Photo: Regi Varghese