TWO more dead dolphins have been found in the Mandurah estuary.One of the dolphins was found near Parkridge on the weekend of the Crab Fest.
The cause of the adult female’s death is not known. A blubber sample was sent to Murdoch University for analysis.
The deaths follow carcasses of a mother dolphin and calf found at the Novara boat ramp in December.
Post-mortem results from the mother were inconclusive, but Murdoch University pathologist for the marine mammal project Nahiid Stephens suspects they died from birth complications.
Sea Bird Rescue volunteer Craig Lester suspects that dolphins are dying from eating contaminated fish.
“My investigations point to pesticides and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium as the culprits,” he said.
“These substances have built up in the estuary over many years and they are impossible to remove from the environment.”
Ms Stephens said there was no funding to check for contaminants during autopsies of dead dolphins.
She said the molecular work for one dolphin would cost several thousand dollars. Source
