Dolphin calf saved from dangerous situation

The calf of Whyalla's favourite dolphin was saved from sure death on Saturday.
Metres of tangled fishing line were caught in its mouth.
Fortunately the Environment and Heritage Department were called on Friday and told that a dolphin calf in the Whyalla marina had fishing line trailing from either side of its mouth.
Investigations soon found that it was the four-month-old baby of the resident female dolphin, which often follows boats in the marina.
Staff from Port Lincoln's department office started a rescue operation control centre in Whyalla's Sea Rescue Squadron building early on Saturday morning.
A local net fisherman helped, as well as many local divers from Whyalla Dive Club .
"It was pleasing that at very short notice the Dive Club got about 10 to 15 divers to help out," local diver Rod Hayles said.
The operation went smoothly and the tangled fishing line was removed with little stress to the dolphins and the divers.
The calf was lucky to have the discarded 30lb fishing line removed from its mouth as it could have caused serious infections that would make feeding the calf nearly impossible.
Local marine researcher Jan Aldenhoven said that if the line became tangled around the calf's head it might not be able to suckle.
"They've got such small teeth that the line becomes easily caught.
"It would be really good if people can try and recover any line that is caught and not discard fishing line ... and if anyone is walking and sees fishing line could they pick it up and put it in the bin."
Jan would like to remind people that if they see a dolphin in distress they should call the Department for Environment and Heritage as they are the ones responsible in carrying out the rescue operations.
DEH would like to remind fishermen that their rubbish does have an impact on our marine environment and several meters of fishing line is all it takes to kill a dolphin.
: (from left) in the boat brothers Craig and George Edwards, in the water Richard Morris, Rod Hayles, Ron Hardman (partly obscured), Glen Caruthers holding the baby dolphin, Simon Clark and Mick Palmer, the mother under water, Peter Kaminski and Paul Mazourek