Injured Dolphins
© Barbara SabertonHorrific burns on Port River dolphins - the cause may never be known.
The exact cause of the horrific burns inflicted on two Port River dolphins is unlikely to ever be known, despite a global search by local authorities.

The injured dolphins, Wave and her calf Tallula are being monitored daily by Port dolphin expert Mike Bossley and Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary staff since the lesions on the upper flank of their bodies were first seen almost two weeks ago.

Dr Bossley, director of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said he was "more positive" about the dolphins likelihood of recovery, although the injuries were still a concern. "We've had responses from researchers and veterinarians from all over the world and it was universally acknowledged as the the worst ever injuries seen on a surviving dolphin," he said.

"I'm slightly more positive now that we've got to day 10 and they are still alive, because I feel if they were going to succumb they may have already by now.

"It would seem that Wave is feeding Tallula if Wave was too sick she couldn't provide milk but it is still a touch and go situation."

Environment Department animal welfare manager Deb Kelly ruled out any Port River industry or pollution as a cause of the burns.

However it wasn't possible to capture either dolphin to take skin samples to help determine the exact cause because it would be too distressing, she said.

"Wave has a dependent baby and if we were to spook the baby and it shoots off she faces death because she needs her mother," she said.

Ms Kelly said little could be done to treat the injuries, with the dolphins capable of getting better by themselves.

"They have amazing healing capacity, which is about seven times the rate of human skin." She said a number of different causes had been considered, including:
  • Exposure to large quantities of fresh water causing skin cells to swell and form large blisters;
  • Sunburn caused by a stranding for a whole tide cycle on a sandbar;
  • Caustic chemicals or hot water discharge making contact with the dolphin's skin; or
  • Fungal infection.
Ms Kelly said the Environmental Protection Authority was confident no Port River industry was discharging chemicals or water hot enough to cause the lesions and she discounted anyone pouring boiling hot water from a boat.

"All are hypothesis at this stage, but if they were too near an outflow pipe with an outflux of stormwater it could be a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time - it's about as logical an explanation as I can give.

"Although it seems like a bizarre cause, the timing fits as it occurred a couple of days after the recent heavy downpour."