Hope for Hope

Nowhere else in the world do dolphins live so close to a capital city, so there’s always lots of excitement when a new dolphin is born in Adelaides Port River.

"Hope" is only a few weeks old, and she now joins the resident pod of around fifty dolphins in the murky waters of the Port River.

But, she could have a difficult time ahead.  There’s a very high mortality rate among new born dolphins in this waterway due to pollution from stormwater run-off, effluent, industrial discharge and boat strikes.

That’s despite the fact the South Australian Government declared the area Australia’s first Dolphin Sanctuary a few years ago.  It was touted as a place where we could look after our special residents, and ensure their future conservation.

But the babies continue to struggle for survival.

There are still so many issues facing the dolphins that live in the Port River, and with increasing pressure from development in the area, one wonders how long the population will continue to grace our waterways.

I must admit to a personal interest in these dolphins.  Before embarking on my career as a Journalist, I worked as a research assistant on the dolphin program,

After completing my degree, I formed a not-for-profit organisation to fund research and conservation efforts.  That’s still one of the most satisfying things I’ve achieved in my life.

That organisation has evolved into the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, the WDCS, which helps ensure the well being of the Port River dolphins. 

So, let’s hope that “Hope” and her pod will survive the challenges of living in this estuary.

Our seas would indeed be a much poorer place without these charismatic, gentle residents.

Visit the WDCS website