THREE officers from the WA Water Police have been recognised for their remarkable rescue of a young river dolphin calf, Gizmo, who was severely entangled in fishing line for more than two months.

The rescue unfolded in June this year near Swan Yacht Club in the Swan Canning Riverpark.



The Swan River Trust has presented the officers -- Senior Constable Bruce Rodgers, Senior Constable Glenn Bott and Constable Brody Baker – with “Caring for River Dolphins” awards to thank them for their efforts.



Swan River Trust General Manager Rod Hughes said three-year-old Gizmo’s plight had become increasingly dire as his protective mother, Tupac, thwarted all previous attempts to help her calf.



“By the time the water police rescued him, the fishing line had become so tightly wrapped around Gizmo’s dorsal fin it was slowly slicing through it,” Mr Hughes said.



“Gizmo was also dragging an increasingly heavy load of seaweed and debris that had latched on to the line and it had reached the point where there was a real danger the little calf would not survive.”



“The rescue conducted by these officers was extraordinary, particularly as they had to contend with Gizmo’s mother – a large, heavy dolphin measuring over 2 metres – repeatedly trying to stop them.”



Mr Hughes said the officers followed the mother and calf for some distance in a boat before Constable Baker and Senior Constable Bott were able to dive in and catch Gizmo in their arms and cut him free.



“During the rescue, Tupac tried repeatedly to grab Gizmo by the tail and pull him out of their hands, which would have been very confronting. It was a remarkable rescue and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to personally thank the officers,” he said.



The awards were presented this week (Sunday, Oct 28) in front of almost 200 of the Trust’s trained Dolphin Watch volunteers, who helped track Gizmo’s movements prior to the water police rescue.



“Four months have now passed and I am very happy to report that Gizmo is doing well. While his fin is badly damaged and bent, the wound has healed cleanly and he is again swimming strongly with his mother at his side,” he said.



Gizmo is one of at least 22 bottlenose dolphins living in the Swan Canning Riverpark. Dolphin calves are dependant on their mothers for up to five years.



Mr Hughes urged people visiting the Riverpark to be vigilant about picking up their rubbish, particularly discarded fishing line, to protect the dolphins and other river wildlife. He also stressed that people must not approach dolphins in the wild and boats should stay at least 100 metres away.



Originally published as Three honoured for dolphin calf rescue