The fishing hook and line can be seen lodged in the dolphin’s fin.
Camera IconThe fishing hook and line can be seen lodged in the dolphin’s fin. Credit: Ian Whitehouse

Swan River dolphin photographed with fish hook in its fin

Headshot of Ben Anderson
Ben AndersonPerthNow

PEOPLE enjoying the winter sunshine on the banks of the Swan River on the weekend were shocked to discover a dolphin with a fish hook lodged in one of its fins.

Ian Whitehouse snapped pictures of the dolphin feeding at the Shelley foreshore on Saturday morning but when he enlarged the photos he noticed the hook and fishing line in the dorsal fin.

“The hook and line has torn off a hand sized lump of flesh from the fin and is trailing several strands of line which appears to be caught around the dolphin's tail fluke,” he said.

“It was immensely sad to see this lovely animal in such a distressed state right on our doorstep.”

A Department of Parks and Wildlife spokesperson said staff were aware of the injured animal and were looking at various options to help it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW