Watch out for young dolphins

The Department for Environment and Heritage is warning people to play a part in keeping safe a number of dolphin calves recently born in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.

Senior Conservation Officer for the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, Rob Laver says it is important for the community to be responsible when interacting with the dolphins in the Port River.

“Two of the most important things for people to remember are keeping your distance and lowering your boat speed,” he said.

DEH rangers who operate in the sanctuary often have to caution people who are either harassing dolphins by getting too close or who put them at risk by going too fast in their boats.

By law, boat users need to keep their speed below 5 knots if the vessel is within 150 metres of a dolphin.

Mr Laver says while it's understandable that people are keen to have an ‘up close and personal’ experience with dolphins, they must remember to keep their distance by at least 50 metres.

“Excessive interaction can result in a loss of feeding behaviour, which can impact on both mother and baby. Also calves do not need to be fed by members of the public. Dolphins are wild animals, and it is important for us to respect their habitat," he said.