Walk Anyone?

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“Bianca” tail walking, Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary – WDCS

A recent observation at Muston on the edge of Pelican Lagoon, Kangaroo Island,  has raised a broad spectrum of possibilities for scientists and interested observers. A Bottlenose dolphin, one of a group of 8 frolicking in the channel off the lagoon entrance, was observed “tailwalking” for a short distance. This behaviour has been noted previously only in limited locations and is considered to be a behaviour learned by trained animals in aquarium situations. This raises an interesting set of possibilities given the fact that certain animals in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, some 150 kilometres distant are known to exhibit this behaviour. It is believed a female dolphin “Billie” who was released from Marineland Aquarium at West Beach, prior to its closure, taught other ADS dolphins to perform this feat, which raises fascinating questions of great scientific interest as to why this behaviour is now being observed on Kangaroo Island.

Port Augusta Dolphin Watch Launched

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Port Augusta Dolphin Watch crew

Port Augusta Secondary School undertook its first field survey at Port Augusta recently, funded by an NRM Community Grant through WDCS. The Year 10 students and teacher Jaya Nair were fortunate to have Dr Mike Bossley AM: Managing Director of WDCS and Dr Sue Gibbs of SA Museum, both recognised Cetacean experts, accompanying them on their first expedition aboard the “DekyZane”. Aaron Morgan’s vessel, purpose built for award winning Eco Tourism accredited Flinders Ranges Water Cruises, proved a perfect platform for the photographic identification work undertaken over a wide ranging area from above Port Augusta down to the shack areas well south. Numerous animals were seen at a variety of sites and the crisp, clear conditions allowed for excellent images to be obtained. Later analysis of the data resulted in outstanding progress in developing a local ID catalogue. Aaron’s local knowledge, interpretive skills and passionate enthusiasm are a great boon to this burgeoning programme.

Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch goes from strengh to strength

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SA Whale Centre volunteers on Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch

Trying conditions challenged both SA Whale Centre volunteers and Investigator College students on two field surveys in the first week of June, but the results obtained were outstanding. The images gained by both groups led to 16 new animals being identified in the area by Wright Island off Encounter Bay and several animals were recognised from previous field survey work. Once again SA Whale Centre volunteer Nedra Haines and Investigator College teacher Renee Drew worked in conjunction with SA Whale Centre Education Officer Tori Williams to organise a highly successful research effort. The Big Duck Boat Tours skipper Dan Irvine’s skills and local knowledge were again employed to good effect maximising photographic ID opportunities. Again issues regarding boat strike were plainly obvious amongst the pod, further emphasising the need for ongoing education and awareness raising.

Investigator College Dolphin Watch crew

Charlie and the Garfish

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Charlie at work

The Adult Community Education group had special help on the June 3rd field survey. Charlie, a Jack Russel, became the first four footed dolphin spotter on board, and what a fantastic boon he proved to be. The special affinity between dogs and dolphins was readily observed with Charlie showing a keen awareness of the dolphins’ presence when the human observers were still lagging. Once again a small group of 6 dolphins with a juvenile appeared near Fanny Rocks: GPS S 35◦37.857   E 137◦41.407 on the way to North Cape. A group of 12 including 4 juveniles appeared at North Cape, enjoying opportunistic feeding on garfish, together with Pied Cormorants. Watching dolphins pursuing the gar using a variety of approach postures, including upside down, made for a fascinating display.

News relayed regarding another Common Dolphin body washing ashore at Island Beach
displaying wound marks, was the only dampening influence on a cold but highly successful data collection survey. The ACE Foundation Skills Project participants continued to provide outstanding follow up data analysis, with their enthusiasm and hard work significantly energising and enriching research efforts.

Think Global School Names Dolphins

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333 Steve

Following analysis of images obtained on the Think Global Schools field surveys on January 19th a number of newly identified animals emerged and the students were asked to name them prior to inclusion in the catalogue. They kindly provided an interesting selection of names to help identify the new animals. We hope to work further in the future with the students and staff of this fantastic school which offers a brilliant concept for making students globally aware.

 

Successful ACE Launch

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ACE group preparing to launch May 20th 2011

An exciting ACE Dolphin Watch semester programme funded by a 2011 Adult Community Education Foundation Skills Grant organised by Regional Development Australia –Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island, kicked off on Friday 20th May in quite difficult conditions. With a 10 – 15 knot North Easterly blowing and overcast skies, visibility was limited. Success came incrementally with firstly a female and juvenile appearing off North Cape. They were joined shortly afterwards by two more adult dolphins and following a trip around the cape to visit the New Zealand fur seal colony, the pod gradually grew to eleven in size, including five juveniles.

Excellent photographic images proved a sound basis for a successful downloading workshop with confirmed sightings of known dolphins and new ID’s, at the TAFE Centre in Kingscote on return. A scrumptious lunch from Country Cottage organised by Cathie Tydeman; RDA Project Development Officer and driving force for this innovative programme, was a welcome reward on a day when chilly conditions made research that little bit more uncomfortable.

A great day none the less, thanks to all participants for their fantastic work, cooperation and good humour throughout.

Welcome Back Bobby!

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Bobby and Nicola enjoying the moment

One of the original Dolphin Watch student leaders for several years, Bobby Hale, returned to KI recently to visit family with his UK girlfriend Nicola, a fellow dolphin lover. On Sunday 15th May they joined other community members on a field survey to North Cape. A group of atleast 26 dolphins including four juveniles frolicked and cavorted around the boat in very light conditions allowing for excellent photographic ID work. Two known animals were easily identified; 007F Kimba and 334 Tiki, both monitored during Bobby’s involvement. A great welcome home to Bobby who was a very active participant, excellent role model and mentor, introducing the Dolphin Watch programme to mainland schools.

 

Dolphin Watch Launched In Victor Harbor

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Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch team

KI Dolphin Watch’s Phyll and Tony Bartram went on the water at Victor Harbor recently to introduce the programme to SA Whale Centre volunteers and students and staff from Investigator College. On Wednesday 20th April Nardi Cribb from Flinders University joined Phyll and Tony on a trip with Dan and Katie Irvine of “The Big Duck Tours”. The field survey was extraordinarily successful with approximately 20 – 25 Bottlenose dolphins observed feeding and milling in the area between Yilki Reef and Shark Alley, below the Bluff in Encounter Bay.The following day Joseph and Shauna, students from Investigator College and their teacher Rene, with SA Whale Centre volunteer Nedra, participated in the first official field survey and training, funded through a KI Dolphin Watch Community NRM Management Grant -“Tracking the Home Range”. Again the area around Shark Alley provided excellent observations with the pod reappearing and travelling round similar areas to the previous day. This appears to be part of a regular pattern which has allowed Victor Harbor volunteers to quickly develop a catalogue of a dozen animals following a downloading workshop at the SA Whale Centre.

Claire Thwaites, Editor of “The Times” accompanied the group and wrote an article about the project. Her infectious enthusiasm was a highlight and augurs well for future coverage and support. Liason and organisation by Tori Williams, Education Officer at the Whale Centre, were greatly appreciated by all concerned and were instrumental in the successful launch of the project.

Unusual Happenings at American River

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American River Channel

Long term charter fishing skipper Philip “Scratchy” Connell reported a very unusual observation from Sunday 10th April. While travelling out from American River, between the 3rd and 4th channel markers, an Eagle Ray was seen to jump clear of the water, apparently attempting to escape and “fly” away. Closer inspection indicated two adult dolphins and a juvenile attacking the ray in 1.8 metres of water. After 5 – 10 minutes of sustained attack the ray was left upside down, inert, apparently dead on the sea floor as the dolphins moved off. In all his years of fishing Philip reports he has never seen anything like this before. Neither had any of the six people on board at the time.

In the book “The Bottlenose Dolphin: Biology and Conservation” by John E. Reynolds III, Randall S. Wells and Samantha D. Eide on page127 the following quote is made.

“As noted earlier, dolphins also interact with stingrays, sometimes with fatal results. Because dolphins and stingrays share the same shallow aquatic habitat they are bound to come into contact. Physical contact by the dolphin can result in dolphin injury and mortality. Stingray barbs have been found in a number of animals along the central west coast of Florida since 1987. At least four dolphins between 1987 and 1992 died because of these barbs.”

Parndana Campus Takes The Cake

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Parndana students and staff enjoy 5th Birthday celebrations

A stunning day provided the perfect backdrop for Parndana Campus students’ fifth birthday field survey to Dashwood Bay on Thursday 7th April. A bright sunny Autumn day with little or no wind provided excellent conditions for observations and photographic identification work. Again the raised observation seat at the stern of KI Marine Adventures “Zeehund” was an instant hit with students who rotated through the platform, obtaining outstanding images though crystal clear waters.

Half the usual pod were sighted very early in the trip at an area referred to as the “fruit salad patch” by local commercial fishers due to the wide variety of species caught there. The female and juvenile combinations were obviously enjoying the conditions and utilising them for good learning and instructing opportunities. Continuing on to Dashwood Bay another fourteen animals, including a new calf showing foetal folds, greeted the students and provided a high energy display of feeding activity. As the first group sighted appeared, following their travels, the hydrophone yielded a lot of excited chatter, delighting all on board. Mark, an Irish scientist from SARDI working with rock lobster fishers joined the students on board and was able to provide information with respect to Cetacean movement patterns in the United Kingdom and Ireland, in particular.

The final fifth birthday celebration for Dolphin Watch was enjoyed at the Emu Bay jetty upon return with yet another magnificent cake from Wayne Loechel at the Kangaroo Island Bakery. A perfect end to a perfect field trip with an excellent data set obtained for further analysis.