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Mystery After Baby Dolphin Washes Up In South Australia With Suspected Bullet Wounds

Mystery After Baby Dolphin Washes Up In South Australia With Suspected Bullet Wounds

An autopsy will be done today to determine cause of death.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

An investigation is underway after a baby dolphin was found washed up on a South Australian beach with suspected bullet wounds.

The young porpoise was discovered on Aldinga Beach, south of Adelaide yesterday afternoon, according to 7News.

The people who came across the body saw several distinct holes on its body, some of which were still bleeding. The dolphin will undergo an autopsy today to determine the cause of death.

7News

Australian Marine Wildlife and Research Organisation Inc president Aaron Machado said the holes could be the result of a virus or bacterial infection however they did spark concern for him that something more sinister is at play.

He adds: "Regardless of what caused them I have booked a radiograph."

It wouldn't be the first time that a dolphin was shot and killed in South Australia.

A bottlenose dolphin was discovered in Adelaide's Port River area in December 2014 and an investigation revealed showed there were shotgun pellets in its body.

Whale and Dolphin Conservation

Dr Mike Bossley of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation group told the ABC: "When we found the body before Christmas it was hard to know why it died, that's why they did a necropsy.

"It is clear despite the implementation of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary these dolphins are still under threat.

"It is important that more resources are put into the sanctuary to improve its effectiveness."

"I think the Government has lost a bit of interest in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. I think it needs to look at the way it's resourcing...and it's just not on to have a sanctuary and have dolphins being shot in it."

While it's sad that this latest dolphin has died, let's hope that it was the result of a virus or bacteria because the thought of someone deliberately killing a animal like this for fun is outrageous.

Featured Image Credit: 7News

Topics: Community, Animals, Australia