Western Australia's world-renowned Monkey Mia tourist destination.
Photo: AFP
November 16, 2007 - 10:20AM
A new dolphin calf has been born at Western Australia's world-renowned Monkey Mia tourist destination.
The baby dolphin is the second born to Piccolo, part of a small group of dolphins that may be hand-fed by humans under strictly controlled conditions at the famous beach.
The calf was born on Tuesday in the World Heritage-listed Shark Bay area, 800km north of Perth.
"Both mother and calf are doing well, with the newborn measuring approximately 50cm long," WA Environment Minister David Templeman said.
Visitors are being urged to stay away from Piccolo and her calf when they come to shore to prevent the newborn from beaching itself.
"In the first few weeks of life, the calf is tuned into the mother's movements and will follow any rapid movement in the water," Mr Templeman said.
"If people are in the water near the calf and they move, the calf could follow and inadvertently beach itself."
Almost half of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins do not live past three years old.
AAP
A new dolphin calf has been born at Western Australia's world-renowned Monkey Mia tourist destination.
The baby dolphin is the second born to Piccolo, part of a small group of dolphins that may be hand-fed by humans under strictly controlled conditions at the famous beach.
The calf was born on Tuesday in the World Heritage-listed Shark Bay area, 800km north of Perth.
"Both mother and calf are doing well, with the newborn measuring approximately 50cm long," WA Environment Minister David Templeman said.
Visitors are being urged to stay away from Piccolo and her calf when they come to shore to prevent the newborn from beaching itself.
"In the first few weeks of life, the calf is tuned into the mother's movements and will follow any rapid movement in the water," Mr Templeman said.
"If people are in the water near the calf and they move, the calf could follow and inadvertently beach itself."
Almost half of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins do not live past three years old.
AAP
