CAUTION: Images show dolphins engaging in reproductive activity. 

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dolphins mating

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bottlenose dolphin 

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conservation status: protected

All dolphins are a protected species in Australian waters. Some dolphins (eg: bottlenose dolphins) are relatively common while other dolphins are unique to Australia and vulnerable to extinction, such as the snubfin dolphin and Australian humpback dolphin.

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MY ENCOUNTER THAT DAY:

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This day, I felt guided to walk to Little Wategos and the most Easterly Point of Australia. It wasn't long before I saw the dolphins right in front of me. They were so playful. I thought they must be either fishing or playing because they darted around together, jumping and splashing in the water at some points they seemed more aggressive as if fighting perhaps. 

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The pod  kept 'playing' together. I ran after them as they swam from Little Wategoes to The Pass. I followed them for 1 and 1/2 hours. I felt so lucky to have them so close. At The Pass they frolicked with a few surfers only metres away. 

It didn't enter my head that they were mating. In fact I didn't realise the dolphins were mating until I was at home, when I was viewing my images later and then I saw what I had captured.

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Three months later I was fortunate to again witness a similar experience and have again since then.

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Conservation Status:

https://www.marineconservation.org.au/dolphins-australia/.

Source: Australian Marine Conservation Society

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Images:

Images Captured: April 2020

Image Location: The Easterly Point to The Pass, Australia

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