Snubbed Snub-Fin

Endangered: Australia's snubfin dophin. Picture: Den Thiele, WWF

Snub-fin dolphins were categorised as their own species in 2005, after being listed under the Irrawady dolphin species.  The only native dolphin of Australia, characterized by its bulbous head and small dorsal fin, faces threats of extinction as population estimates find fewer than 1000 mature dolphins.

In May, 2 dead snub fin dolphins were tied down and weighted in a mangrove swamp to disguise the fact that they had been killed in nets.

Currently listed under Queensland law as near threatened, the actions to hide these deaths could have dire effects on the future of the species. In some cases threatened with extinction, the death of only one or two individuals can have tragic consequences on the species survival.

Net fishing kills a lot of marine animals unnecessarily, turtles, marine mammals and sharks but this is not the only threat these dolphins face. Habitat destruction and coastal development also plaque coastal species.

This really is a sad story, and I hope that the Australian government can figure out a way to stop the loss of their only native dolphin.

Full Story is here