Heartbreaking photo of dolphin swimming with dead calf after crab pot tragedy
A heartbreaking photo has been shared of a dolphin carrying her dead calf through waters in Perth.
Western Australia’s Parks and Wildlife shared the image of the dolphin named Moon on Tuesday on its Facebook account, saying it was a “sad outcome” for Swan Canning Riverpark’s new calves.
“The calf was found deceased in Claremont Bay after becoming entangled in a crab pot,” it wrote.
“Mother Moon was swimming alongside the calf when the pair was located by the Parks and Wildlife Service on Monday after being reported by a member of the public.
“The dead calf has since been freed from the crab pot, but remains in the water with the mother dolphin as she grieves.
“Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures and are known to stay with their young for a period of time following a death.”
The department added it would monitor the pair and remove the calf “when appropriate to do so”.
“We ask the public to stay well away from the dolphin and her dead calf during this time,” the post said.
The photos had been shared more than 400 times at the time of publication, with many people upset over the calf’s death.
“So sad and so preventable,” one woman wrote.
“Sadness caused by carelessness of people,” another said.
The department wrote it comes as a reminder “to safely dispose of all fishing lines and ropes and report any tangled wildlife immediately”.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.
