Pod of dolphins die in Princess Royal Harbour stranding, three euthanised by Parks and Wildlife officers

Ten of the dolphins which were stranded in Princess Royal Harbour on Tuesday morning but had seemingly headed back to sea have died after stranding again about 100m offshore from the Brig Amity on Wednesday.

Seven of the mammals died and three more were euthanised by Parks and Wildlife Service officials on Wednesday morning.

The 12-strong pod first beached early on Tuesday morning.

One died about 7.30am that day and was removed by Parks and Wildlife officials but the remaining dolphins headed deeper into the ocean after members of the public waded in to urge them back to sea.

A statement issued by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said the animals had re-stranded.

“On Wednesday 22 July, DBCA responded to a stranding event involving 10 pantropical spotted dolphins on a sandbank approximately 100m offshore from the Brig Amity in Albany,” a spokesperson said.

“The 10 dolphins were part of a pod of 12 that initially stranded in shallow water near the Albany Entertainment Centre at about 6.30am on Tuesday 21 July.

“One dolphin died at the scene, while the other dolphins were able to be refloated by members of the public and returned to the ocean.

“Overnight, 10 of the dolphins re-stranded and seven subsequently died.

“Based on veterinary advice, the remaining three dolphins were humanely euthanised at about 10.20am on Wednesday 22 July to avoid prolonging their suffering.

“Biological samples are being obtained from the carcasses for testing.

“Recovery and removal of the carcasses will continue throughout the day.”

A shark alert is in place and members of the public are urged to avoid the area.

Officials from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development were on the scene to take samples on Wednesday.

DPIRD is responsible for bird flu testing.

A DPIRD spokesperson said on Tuesday that anyone finding unwell or deceased birds and animals should report them to the emergency animal disease hotline on 1800 675 888.

“These reports are triaged by DPIRD based on the risk of H5 bird flu and are prioritised for further investigation or testing,” they said.

DPIRD’s weekly update on July 17 said there had been three positive bird flu cases in WA for a total of 10 since June 19.

All the positives so far had come from migratory seabirds but DPIRD and DBCA are carrying out enhanced surveillance operations across the State with divisional commands established in Perth, Esperance, Albany, Bunbury and Geraldton.