Dolphins' rescue has been unsuccessful

A pair of bottlenose dolphins remain trapped in a small lake in northern New South Wales after two unsuccessful rescue attempts today.

It is believed the two dolphins entered Prospect Lake in Ballina two weeks ago via a narrow creek.
Rescue teams from the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Queensland-based Sea World Research and Rescue Team tried to rescue the dolphins early this morning.

But both their attempts failed when the dolphins - an adult and a 12-month-old calf - first swam under then broke through the net used to capture them.

Sea World director of marine sciences Trevor Long said a staff member would travel to the lake to feed the mammals until the next rescue attempt on Wednesday.

Officials remain confident the dolphins will be successfully captured.