River Guardians

🌿🍃 Nearer to Nature Perth Spring School Holiday Program is here!
Get outside and explore this spring! 🍃🌿
Join Nearer to Nature and River Guardians these school holidays for canoe adventures, dolphin discoveries, wetland investigating, bird explorations, nocturnal wildlife walks, and hands-on Quenda cabin building.
Plus, don't miss the FREE Family Pollinator Picnic at Perth Hills Discovery Centre, packed with nature-based fun for the family.
🌟 Book now and make the most of the school holidays with outdoor adventures, wildlife encounters and unforgettable family memories.
https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/.../nearer-nature...

In a sad update, a deceased dolphin calf was found washed up on the foreshore near the Blue Boat House on 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟴 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

DBCA Marine and Riverpark Rangers retrieved the calf and transported it to Ellam Street, where Dr Delphine Chabanne from Murdoch University examined the animal.

Deep cuts were present on the rostrum (snout) and notches were visible on the dorsal fin – injuries consistent with those often seen in dolphin entanglement incidents.

Photographs of Bindi Bindi were compared with post-mortem images. Bindi Bindi was last sighted on 24 August despite extensive efforts to locate her. Based on these comparisons, the calf is believed to be Bindi Bindi. Although the scars and other identifying features are a close match, decomposition has affected some of these markers, so a definitive identification can't be confirmed just yet.

While no fishing line was found on or near the calf when it was retrieved, evidence of entanglement can be lost over time as a carcass decomposes.

In more positive news, recent surveys on the river were able to identify all other known calves. All appeared healthy, socially active and behaving normally.

The next Dolphin Watch scientific vessel survey may help provide more clarity. If Click is observed without her calf and all other known calves are accounted for, it would strengthen the likelihood that the deceased dolphin is Bindi Bindi.

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝘆. 𝗜𝗳 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲. 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗻.
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𝗗𝗼𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗳 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 🚨🪢

DBCA is aware of a fishing line entanglement involving Bindi Bindi, a three-month-old dolphin calf in the Swan Canning Riverpark.

DBCA marine rangers were deployed yesterday and briefly located Bindi Bindi near Karrakatta Bank. The calf was observed for about 15 minutes before being lost from sight in choppy conditions near the Point Walter sand spit.

The entanglement remains and appears tight around the calf's mouth, dorsal fin and pectoral fins. Based on observations, the calf appears to be in a similar body condition to previous sightings.

Unfortunately, the complexity of the entanglement has ruled out simpler boat-based intervention.

Marine rangers are continuing to work with researchers to monitor Bindi Bindi.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽:

❗ 𝗥𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻
Discarded fishing line can have devastating impacts on wildlife.
If you're fishing and see a dolphin nearby, reel in your line.
Always take unwanted fishing line and tackle with you and dispose of it responsibly.

❗ 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
All vessels, including boats, kayaks, jet skis and stand-up paddleboards, must stay at least 100m from dolphins.
People and dogs must stay at least 50m away.
If a dolphin approaches you, remain still and move away slowly when it is safe to do so.
These distances are a legal requirement in Western Australia and help protect dolphins from disturbance and stress.

❗ 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
Observe dolphins from a distance.
Do not approach, pursue or attempt to interact with Bindi Bindi and Click.
This may hinder future efforts by DBCA to capture and disentangle Bindi Bindi.

❗ 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
If you see Bindi Bindi and Click, please contact the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.
Sighting reports, including the location, date, time and photographs taken from a respectful distance, may assist ongoing monitoring of the calf's condition and movements.

❗ 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗻𝘀
Feeding dolphins can alter their natural behaviour and increase the risk of entanglement, injury and boat strikes.

📸 DBCA

In sad news, a deceased dolphin calf was found washed up on the foreshore near the Blue Boat House on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.

DBCA Marine and Riverpark Rangers retrieved the calf and transported it to Ellam Street, where Dr Delphine Chabanne from Murdoch University (Perth Coastal and Estuarine Dolphin Project) examined the animal.

Deep cuts were present on the rostrum (snout) and notches were visible on the dorsal fin – injuries consistent with those often seen in dolphin entanglement incidents.

Photographs of Bindi Bindi, a calf known to have been entangled in fishing line around her rostrum and dorsal fin when first reported on 21 August, were compared with post-mortem images. Bindi Bindi was last sighted on 24 August despite extensive efforts to locate her.

Based on these comparisons, the calf is believed to be Bindi Bindi. Although the scars and other identifying features are a close match, decomposition has affected some of these markers, so a definitive identification can't be confirmed just yet.

While no fishing line was found on or near the calf when it was retrieved, evidence of entanglement can be lost over time as a carcass decomposes.

In more positive news, recent surveys on the river were able to identify all other known calves. All appeared healthy, socially active and behaving normally.

The next Dolphin Watch scientific vessel survey may help provide more clarity. If Click is observed without her calf and all other known calves are accounted for, it would strengthen the likelihood that the deceased dolphin is Bindi Bindi.

Please remember to fish responsibly. If dolphins or seabirds are present in the area where you are fishing, reel in your line and give them space. Always dispose of fishing line and tackle appropriately in a bin.

🌏September is National Biodiversity Month! 🌏
Biodiversity is the variety of all life forms on earth – our continent supports nearly 600,000 native species, and a very high proportion of these are found nowhere else in the world. 😮

🦋During September, why not:
🦋Share your observations of nature - Download the app to record your observations, improve your knowledge and connect with experts.
🦋Find out the names of your local plants and animals in Aboriginal language.

📷 Fantastic cute pied oystercatcher photos courtesy of Sue Harper ! It’s been another success story this year with an early nesting at Deepwater Point in Perth producing one Pied Oyster Catcher chick, after three chicks last season. City of Melville have protected their nest site with signage and bunting to prevent disturbance and trampling.

🌿 Moon's Legacy

Moon was one of the Swan Canning Riverpark's long-term resident females and a familiar member of the community for many years.

Through long-term monitoring, we were able to document not only Moon, but also her daughter Djinda and grand-offspring Meekany, providing a rare glimpse into multiple generations of a wild dolphin family.

Although Moon passed away in 2025, her legacy lives on through the generations that follow.

Stories like Moon's highlight the value of long-term monitoring. By following known individuals through time, we can better understand family relationships, reproduction and how dolphin communities change across decades.

🐬 Moon → Djinda → Meekany

💙 Did you know we can document multiple generations of some Riverpark dolphin families?

🚨 Entangled dolphin calf observed in the Swan Canning Riverpark 🚨

During a survey yesterday, we observed Bindi Bindi, a young dolphin calf, entangled in fishing line.

Unfortunately, this is another case of a young calf becoming entangled in fishing line within the Swan Canning Riverpark.

The line appears tightly wrapped around the calf's mouth, cuts across the base of the dorsal fin and is also believed to extend around the pectoral fins. Bindi Bindi was observed swimming slowly, with mum Click nearby.

At three months of age, Bindi Bindi is currently the youngest calf in the Swan Canning Riverpark dolphin community, making this a particularly concerning situation for both mother and calf.

DBCA is aware of the entanglement and is currently assessing the condition of the calf and the nature of the entanglement to inform decision-making.

How you can help:
✅ Observe dolphins from a distance
✅ Do not approach, pursue or attempt to interact with the dolphins
✅ Avoid adding further disturbance or stress
✅ Report sightings, including the location, date, time and photographs taken from a respectful distance

If you see Bindi Bindi and Click, please contact the Wildcare Helpline (08 9474 9055) or send us a message and we will ensure the information is passed on to the appropriate authorities.

Reports from the public may assist ongoing monitoring of the calf's condition and movements.

We know many people care deeply about Perth's dolphins. The most helpful thing members of the public can do right now is give these animals space and report observations responsibly.

Given Bindi Bindi's young age and the nature of the entanglement, this is a serious situation.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates when available.

📖 Ten editions of the Swan Canning Riverpark Dolphin Finbook

Since the first edition was released in 2011, the Swan Canning Riverpark Dolphin Finbook has been updated regularly to help researchers, managers and the community identify the resident dolphins of the Riverpark.

Each edition provides an updated catalogue of known resident dolphins, including information on their identification, age and reproductive history where known.

Over the years, the finbook has documented changes within the community, including new calves, new mothers, changes to dorsal fins and the addition or loss of individuals from the catalogue.

We are currently working on the 11th edition, which is planned for release in November 2026.

As we prepare this latest update, we'll also be looking back at some of the dolphins, families and observations that have shaped our understanding of this unique estuarine community over the past 15 years.

🐬 How long have you been following the Riverpark dolphins?



Fremantle Ports City of Melville

🤩 HEY HEY IT'S NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK! 🤩
This year's theme is Seeds of science: Nurturing science for all 🌱

River Guardians Education Officer Rosie will be finning all over the Perth metro this week delivering the spirit of Science Week in the form of school incursions and expo activities - we'll also be exhibiting at the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle this Sunday 23rd August as part of the Maritime Open Day for Science Week 2026!
General admission is FREE all day on Sunday 10am-5pm, so what better excuse to get the fam down to Freo Town and wear them out before heading for hot chips and an ice cream 😃
Activities on during the day include:
🌊 10am-3pm Microscopic Marvels digital microscope interactive
🌊 10am-5pm Underwater art activities
🌊 10am-4pm Under the Dome marine cinema
🌊 11am-2pm Marine scientists in-gallery
🌊 3pm-4pm Public talk: The state of Western Australia's coral reefs with Dr James Gilmour (Australian Institute of Marine Science).

Come give us a wave! 😆😆🌊🌊🐬🐬

Maritime Open Day for Science Week 2026 | Western Australian Museum Celebrate National Science Week at the WA Maritime Museum with free entry and activities to dive deep into ocean science.

😠VANDALISED REEL IT IN FISHING GEAR BIN 😠
We're sad to report that the fishing line bin located near the Giant at The Cut has been vandalised -
As you can see from the photo, not only is the bin gone but the pole as well - we can't blame Seba the Giant for this one, folks! Someone has gone to considerable effort here, the pole was subsequently found in the water and a hole is all that's left ☹️
Reel It In bins are installed at popular fishing locations around WA - they help reduce the impact of discarded fishing line and tackle on dolphins, waterbirds, and other animals living in the Bindjareb Djilba / Peel-Harvey Estuary vulnerable to a slow death via entanglement or hook injuries.
The bins are adopted by individuals and community organisations who monitor and empty them regularly, keeping many kilometres of fishing waste out of our environment annually.
Please spread the word through the Mandurah community that Reel It In bins play an important role in helping to protect local wildlife and are to be left alone -

🐬 Visit Estuary Guardians Mandurah to learn more about looking after Mandurah's dolphins and their environment
🐬 Visit Western Australian Seabird Rescue to learn more about waterbird entanglement
🐬 Visit River Guardians website to learn more about the Reel It In program https://www.riverguardians.com/
🐬 Report acts of vandalism to WA Police (131 444 or use the online form), anonymously to Crime Stoppers WA (1800 333 000 or download the Eyes on the Street app), or City of Mandurah (08 9550 3777).

Thanks for your help on this one Mandurah 💙💙

How and where to find the latest info on H5 bird flu, and WA detection, surveillance, and testing locations 👇👇

Want to know where H5 bird flu has been detected in wildlife in WA?

A new interactive dashboard is now available, showing where H5 bird flu has been detected in wildlife across WA.

The dashboard will help Western Australians stay informed about where detections have occurred, and where surveillance and testing are taking place.

Explore the dashboard, and find the latest H5 bird flu information 👉 www.wa.gov.au/birdflu