Outrage over Dolphin killing

[pies4ever]

Outrage over dolphin killing
Kelly Ryan
22sep05

A DOLPHIN stabbed to death may have been a victim of its curious and trusting nature, disgusted wildlife officers say.

The female bottlenose dolphin -- one of about 80 that frolic in Port Phillip Bay -- was found with deep stab wounds at Eastern Beach in Geelong.
Bay dolphins are curious animals that swim alongside boats as they try to interact with humans, experts said.

Another theory was the dolphin may have been killed by fishermen while she was feeding on fish trapped in illegal nets.

Dolphin Research Institute executive director Jeff Weir said the female was known to researchers as dolphin number 7008.

"We are able to record the different markings on their fins and this particular dolphin was first recorded back in 1996," he said.

The dolphin was found on Sunday with seven stab wounds to the stomach. An autopsy showed she was healthy, with a belly full of food.

The culprit, or culprits, face fines of more than $100,000 and a year in jail if caught. Acting Environment Minister John Brumby vowed to invoke the full force of the law to punish those responsible.

Bottlenose dolphins in Port Phillip Bay go back to seafaring days when they "tried to say hello to sailors".

"There is a degree of romance about the dolphin and Melbourne is very proud and protective of its dolphin population," Mr Weir said.

"Sydney and Botany Bay have both lost their dolphin populations and ours are seen a very precious animal species."

Dolphin Research Institute research director Anika Warren-Smith said the killing was disgusting.

"You just wonder why you would actually consider doing something like this to an animal that is generally very trusting of humans," she said.

"They are very curious and trusting and to betray that is really quite distressing."

Ms Warren-Smith said it was possible the dolphin might have swum up alongside a boat, enabling someone to stab her -- but she conceded this would be difficult.

"It's a bit of a mystery and that's why we're hoping the public can help us figure out what happened," she said.

DSE spokesman Ron Waters said he was investigating claims by fishermen that they saw a dolphin floating dead and stabbed it to make it sink.

"We've got a vet saying: here's what we found -- an animal with a full stomach, in good condition and no other signs of death, and one puncture wound through the heart.

"And we've got this other report . . . saying: it was a dead one, mate, and we just plugged it. It was bloated and we sunk a knife into it.

"That explanation is at odds with what the vets have told us."

Victorians can donate to the Dolphin Research Institute on 1300 130 949.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,16680349^2862,00.html

[David]

This probably belongs in Eunos's 'death penalty' thread.....