Sighting of dolphin in Hopkins river

Victoria's Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) believe the sighting of a dolphin in the Hopkins River in Warrnambool, in the state's south-west, could be a first.

A fisherman spotted the mammal in the river close to the Deakin jetty yesterday.

The DSE's Philip Du Guesclin says it is likely the dolphin entered the river chasing fish.

"I think the mouth of the river opened in the past week, so there might be an influx of fish there and it's followed them in," he said.

"It will probably be in there for a day or two, so long as the mouth doesn't close then it will be in there a bit longer and then it will find its way out again."