Three dolphins deaths in one week leaves South West conservation community reeling

Three wild dolphins living in South West waters have died in the space of a week.

Adult dolphins Shanty and Chocolate died within days of each other, the pod losing dolphin calf, Reef, only days earlier.

Dolphin Discovery Centre staff and volunteers are in mourning, the two adult dolphins making regular appearances along Koombana Bay in front of the centre, and forming a core part of the centre’s conservation, education and research projects.

Centre chief executive officer David Kerr announced the deaths via social media Monday.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shanty, the matriarch dolphin of Koombana Bay, and dolphin identity Chocolate, who also passed last week,” Mr Kerr said.

The deaths are not being treated as suspicious, although Shanty’s body will undergo a necropsy at Murdoch University under direction of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

“We are confident that there is no connection between these losses within our dolphin community and will continue to monitor our wild dolphin population,” Mr Kerr said.

45-year-old Shanty was easily recognisable due to her curved dorsal fin and was considered the bay’s “ambassador” for Bunbury both nationally and internationally.

“Shanty played a lead role in educating people about dolphins and the marine environment in which they live, creating a connection with nature and bringing people from around the world together over her lifetime. She will be missed,” Mr Kerr said.

“Dolphins are generally considered to live for 35-40 years, so she was a grand old lady, but even more amazing she has been nursing her one-year-old calf Banjo.”

The centre’s drone film team have been monitoring Banjo since Shanty’s passing, concerned about her welfare due to dolphins usually nursing calves for up to two years.

Thrill-seeking lone wolf Chocolate, thought to be about 25-30 years old, died just days before Shanty, the centre announcing his death on Friday, March 25.

“He was a shallow-water specialist, often seen using aquaplaning and tail whacking techniques to capture food,” Mr Kerr said.

“Chocolate was a male dolphin thought to be 25-30 years old and was a character well known to many residents and visitors. Chocolate lived in the estuary and Collie River areas most of his life and lived his life on the edge with his hunting techniques.”

So intense was Chocolate’s need for speed, centre staff had to rescue him near the Preston River delta area three times after he got stranded while chasing fish.

Chocolate was easily recognisable due to scarring along his back from severe sunburn, and was known to indulge in the occasional puffer fish, which are believed to give dolphins a “high” from the toxins they release.

The dolphin calf’s death was less of a shock — about 40 per cent of calves do not make it past four years old.

Centre staff have planned a tribute to the dolphins at 3pm on April 8 to allow current and past volunteers and the wider community to farewell these local characters.

Shanty will also be honoured through the launch of The Shanty Fund, a new donation opportunity for people who would like to recognise her passing and contribute to the centre’s ongoing research into the wild dolphin population.