Friday 30, Jul 2010
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has reported that a Bottlenose dolphin has been found dead in Tuross Lake but are unable to confirm whether it is one of the three which had been inhabiting the lake over the past year.
NPWS Area Manager, Tony Baxter, said today that the dolphin was found near the boat shed by a local resident.
“It is likely to be one of the three dolphins which have remained in the lake since it closed in September 2008 but we are not sure.
“It is possible that this is a different individual which has entered the lake since it reopened. Dolphins are regularly seen entering estuaries so there would be nothing unusual about this.
“Since the lake opened just over a week ago we have received sporadic reports of sightings but no one has reported seeing all three dolphins in the lake at one time.
“We do not think the massive flush of fresh water into the lake will have been a problem because the lake has also opened to allow a lot of salt water in with tidal flows.
“From experience we know that dolphins must be exposed to several weeks of fresh water before their condition deteriorates.
“We have been monitoring the health of the dolphins during the past year and they have been healthy throughout. To assist us we have been getting the advice of a number of marine mammal experts from around the country.
“We also believe that the dolphins have had ample opportunity top leave the lake during the past week.
“The dead dolphin will be taken to a vet for an autopsy so we might be able to determine more precisely the cause of death,” Mr Baxter said.
