Two dolphins found dead at Monkey Mia

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is investigating the deaths of two bottlenose dolphins at Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. The deaths of two bottlenose dolphins in Western Australia are being investigated, after their bodies were found by tourists last week.

A dead adult male dolphin was discovered by tourists in front of the Monkey Mia dolphin resort a few days ago, while a second dolphin, a juvenile, was found the following afternoon about 22km south of the resort. The resort has suffered sewage leaks over the past three months, so the Department of Environment and conservation are keen to find out if their deaths are linked to the environmental damage.

Sewage leaks at resort for past three months
‘The dolphin collected at Monkey Mia has been sent to Perth for autopsy and the second reported animal could not be located and may have been washed back to sea on the overnight tide,' said DEC Shark Bay district manager Brett Fitzgerald.

‘In light of sewage leaks at Monkey Mia resort in the past three months, DEC is taking these deaths very seriously and will investigate all possible causes of death.

‘At this stage there don't appear to be any obvious signs of trauma or disease and there is no clear evidence that the deaths are linked to the sewage leak, so we are hopeful an autopsy will provide us with more information.'

The adult dolphin found at Monkey Mia, known to researchers as Bly, was approximately 30 years old. The lifespan of male bottlenose dolphins is 30 to 35 years. Bly was usually a resident in an area south of Monkey Mia but was not a member of the group that visits the beach and interacts daily with tourists at Monkey Mia.

Mr Fitzgerald said DEC was continuing regular water testing at Monkey Mia and results received in July showed some ongoing groundwater contamination, but negligible readings in sea water samples.

Dolphin interaction at Monkey Mia will continue in a shortened format.