Kingy the Dolphin
Kingy the Dolphin
In January 2007 Sea World released 'Kingy' a rescued dolphin, back into its natural habitat at Bribie Island, north of Brisbane.
The Male Inshore Bottlenose Dolphin nicknamed 'Kingy' was caught in shark nets on September 14 2006 at Kings Beach on the Sunshine Coast. He was freed by Caloundra City Council Lifeguards and cared for on the beach by lifeguards and staff from Australia Zoo until Sea World Vet Dr. David Blyde could attend.
Upon examination the dolphin was found to be in poor health having considerable net damage and suffering from the effects of either exhaustion or near drowning. Sea World Vet David Blyde said that Kingy had sustained serious damage to his left pectoral fin and was initially unsure if the team would be able to save it.
"Kingy's pectoral fin was nearly severed in the incident, and we did not hold a great deal of hope for the fin", he said.
Following his rescue Kingy resided at Sea World for almost three months where extensive rehabilitation and care took place, with the fin continually improving. Eventually Kingy was placed in a larger pool and was deemed suitable for release.
"He proved to be a very resilient animal and healed remarkably well", Dr. Blyde said.
Kingy was released at 9.30am on January 4 2007, just off the foreshore in a calm water passage at Bribie Island.
According to Sea World Director of Marine Sciences, Trevor Long, Kingy was one of the lucky ones.
"Each year we see many more Dolphins drown in shark nets than survive. Kingy was lucky not only because he was caught near the top of the nets and could roll over and breathe when he needed to, but also because he was rescued by some very brave and concerned lifeguards", he said.
Trevor applauded the efforts of the lifeguards and the team at Sea World for saving the dolphin.
"Ordinary people taking action to assist animals in distress is always a heartening thing", he said.
"And it’s not just the people on the frontline that we have to thank, it's all the people behind the scenes, the people who spend hours on end observing the animal, feeding it and cleaning its pool".
Mr Long said that of course citizens should consider their own personal safety first before attempting a rescue, but the community needed to get more involved with the environmental well being of our native animals.
Mr. Long said that in 2005 alone 5 sea turtles, 6 great whales, 24 dolphins and 1 dugong were caught in shark nets off the Queensland coast, and of the 24 dolphins caught only 4 survived.*
Protected species such as whales, dugongs, Grey Nurse and Great White sharks also get trapped in these nets in significant numbers. With an estimated population as low as 300, the Grey Nurse is on the verge of extinction and can not sustain any more killing.
"The public needs to drive change and educate themselves on environmental issues affecting our marine life.
"Sea World is dedicated to raising awareness within the greater community about important environmental issues and the need for conservation of our marine world, and we will continue to rescue and rehabilitate animals caught in the nets, but the public needs to get involved too.
"We need to ask the question, what would happen if Sea World wasn't there to help? We simply can't afford to sit back and rely on some one else, it's up to all of us to participate in the protection and future well being of our marine species.
"We need to decide if the cost we pay from a marine life perspective is an acceptable one", he said.
For more than three decades Sea World has contributed a portion of its theme park profits to promote education, conservation and ultimately the preservation of our precious marine life and its environment.
"One dolphin is not a conservation issue, but it is an animal welfare issue, and we should do our very best to care for all animals in situations of distress", said Trevor Long.
*Figures taken from the Queensland Government, Environmental Protection Agency's Marine Wildlife Stranding and Mortality Database Annual Report 2005.
