Spot a dolphinIntroductIon to

Port rIver dolPhInSFor personal use | Version 1.0 | January 2013

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Assisting the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary (ADS) team are the volunteers of the ADS ACTION Group who give their time to help monitor the well being of the Port River Dolphins.

This catalogue has been put together by members of ADS ACTION Group, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, and particularly, Dr Mike Bossley who generously share their knowledge to give everyone the opportunity to get to know the wonderful Port River Dolphins.

We do not agree with tagging or interfering with the dolphins, instead we use a variety of non-intrusive identification techniques to help us recognise them.

Recognising the individual dolphins helps us to keep track of the population size, their social structure and movement, enabling us to research and monitor them more efficiently.

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AdS Action Group

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Three species of dolphin are found in South Australia: the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), found in coastal waters such as the Port River; the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), which live along oceanic coasts and in the deep water off South Australia; and the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), which may be seen in the gulfs but usually inhabit deeper waters.

In Port Adelaide there are approximately 30 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins that are frequently observed in the Port River, with more than 300 of various species recorded as visitors

What’s that mark on the Dolphin?

During their lives, many Dolphins will suffer scratches, wounds or injuries to their dorsal fins or tail flukes. These injuries heal, but often leave marks which can be used for identification.

Not all dolphins have visible body marks, so another technique we use is to record the shape of the dorsal fin. Some fins are shorter and more triangular and some are taller and curved. We can also look at the apex (tip) of the dorsal fin, some are pointy while others are rounded.

There are many great spots to see dolphins from the land. Why not visit the Port River? Keep a look out and see if you can identify the Dolphin!

Don’t forget to bring your camera!

If you are out on the water, on a boat, Jet Ski or Kayak please do not approach the dolphins. If the dolphins are in a playful mood they will often come over to you but please do not approach them. Like us dolphins need to sleep, rest and feed.

Identifying dolphins

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unhapBorn 1994

Unhap is often seen fishing for bream under the bridge that leads to Torrens Island. He traps them against the fence.

He travels from Outer Harbor around to Garden Island, but has on occasion been seen in the inner Port too.

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twinkleBorn 2001

Twinkle is unique in that he is primarily identified by using the flukes of his tail. He has been rescued four (4) times from fishing line entanglements.

Calf of Sparkle, his name was chosen before the sex was known, as is often the case.

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MariannaBorn 2005

Marianna has a small nick in the middle of the trailing edge of his fin and a slight slice off the top of the front of his fin. He is regularly seen in the inner harbour.

Marianna is the calf of the famous dolphin Billie who used to swim with race horses in the Port River. Marianna’s inquisitive nature led to him becoming trapped in a small pit in the Penrice Soda Factory. Luckily he was rescued and freed back into the river.

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WaveBorn 1991

Wave is well known for her outlandish behaviour. She’s famous for tail walking and very large leaps.

She is also famous for surviving unaided severe burns which have completely healed leaving only some small white scars on her right side.

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AliBorn 2011

Ali is our amazing female Orphan. Sadly her beautiful mum, Millie passed away when Ali was only eight (8) months old. Ali has amazed us all by surviving against all odds.

Ali is regularly seen with Unhap and many of the other resident dolphins.

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BubblesBorn 2009

Bubbles is a young male who’s well known for throwing the jelly fish around.

His mum and sister both have tall smooth fins, but as a very active male, Bubbles has already got defining nicks in his dorsal fin.

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crystalBorn 2009

Crystal is a lovely young dolphin. Crystal was named not long after he was born and like many of our dolphins we did not know if he was male or female until a few years later.

His dorsal fin is very similar, just smaller to his mum, Sparkles’ dorsal fin.

This leads us to question, do they Inherit their fin like we inherit our dads nose etc?

Crystal can often be seen around Garden Island.

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orianaBorn 2002

Oriana is identified using the small almost serrated section in the trailing edge of her dorsal fin.

She has a large home range and can be seen throughout the river.

Oriana is a fun dolphin who we can help by trying to keep our waterways clean, so that her next calf may enjoy a much longer and brighter future.

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rippleBorn 2006

Ripple is the second calf of Wave. Ripple is our first, second-generation tail walker.

She has a smooth fin but is identified using her relatively tall shaped dorsal fin with the rounded apex.

She is also a little paler than most of our dolphins.

Ripple can be seen throughout the river.

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BronnyBorn 2002

Wave’s eldest, Bronny is a male who loves to fish and surf.

He’s often seen in the bow waves of the tugs and other boats, enjoying the surf, he too seems to enjoy a sense of fun.

One of the reasons that dolphins are thought to be so intelligent is because they do things just for fun, and it seems Bronny is no different in this.

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You can help to look after these beautiful animals by remembering EIGHT important points when visiting the Port River and the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.

1. The animal inhabitants of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary are wild and un-predictable.

2. They are also protected by under the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary ACT.

3. Do not feed or approach the dolphins and stay at least 50 metres away.

4. If you are in a boat, observe the speed limits in the Port River (4 knots under bridges & 7 knots elsewhere) and keep an eye out for dolphins.

5. If the dolphins swim to your boat, slow down, and wait for them to pass.

6. If you are an angler, please pull in your lines when dolphins are in the vicinity and wait until they have left before casting again. This could prevent an entanglement or accidental hooking of a dolphin. Dispose of your discarded lines and bait bags responsibly. Many wildlife injuries are caused by discarded fishing gear.

7. If you see any wild animal in distress or a dolphin being harassed, please report it to the ranger.

8. If you see any pollution or bad behaviour, please report it to the ranger.

how can you help?

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how can you help – boaties

Approach distances for dolphins

If you are out on the water, on a boat, Jet Ski or Kayak please do not approach the dolphins. If the dolphins are in a playful mood they will often come over to you but please do not approach them.

300m

100m

300m

100m

NO APPROACH

ZONE

NO APPROACH

ZONE

60o60o

CAUTIONZONE

CAUTIONZONE

300m 300m

150m

50m

150m

50m

NO APPROACH

ZONE

NO APPROACH

ZONE

60o60o

CAUTIONZONE

CAUTIONZONE

300m

300m

300m

300m

The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary (ADS), is one of a handful of places in the world where wild dolphins live within a major city. Located only 12 km from the City of Adelaide in South Australia, the amazing wild inhabitants of the sanctuary include about 40 Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins.

The Dolphins of the ADS are protected by government legislation under the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act (2005), which is enforced by a small team of rangers.

To report distressed or injured marine wildlife, call Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

Call 24 hours - 1300 650 411 (quote pager number 465 281)

To call the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and information about the ADS Action Group, call 8240 0193 (Mon to Friday, 8.30am – 5.00pm)

For more information on dolphins visit the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary link on the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources website www.environment.sa.gov.au

Supported by the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Natural Resources Management Board

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Adelaide dolphin Sanctuary