Secrets Of Rare Aussie Dolphin Unearthed By New Research

Media Release
Embargoed to Monday 13 April, 2009

Secrets of rare Aussie dolphin unearthed by new research
A preliminary study has unearthed the top ten facts about the mysterious life of the recently discovered
and very rare snubfin dolphin.

The research, funded by ING DIRECT, has given an overview of the life and habits of this native marine
mammal, affectionately named `snubby' by researchers, which lives in tight-knit social groups along our
northern coastlines.

WWF-Australia's Marine and Coasts Manager Lydia Gibson says the small dolphins hunt in groups and
use an extraordinary spitting technique to catch their prey - chasing fish to the surface of the water, and
rounding them up by shooting jets of water from their mouths.

"This is incredibly unusual behaviour, first seen in Australia off the Kimberley Coast, has only been
noted before in Irrawaddy dolphins, which are closely related to this species. It also confirms the snubfin
dolphin is a fascinating animal, one which we know so little about."

Ms Gibson says the WWF/ING DIRECT research has been collating existing information from many
sightings over the years while also gathering new valuable data about snubfin habitats across northern
Australia.

"These top ten facts were uncovered to better understand what we do and do not know about the snubfin
dolphin. They will provide us with the benchmark we need to inform conservationists, government and
scientists about how best to conserve and manage this unique and threatened species for future
generations."

The ten key findings from the research so far show that:
Threats to mangrove systems from rising sea levels predicted with climate change and from
human impacts such as dam construction, dredging and other destructive activities are the
greatest threat to the snubfin. Where mangrove systems are destroyed or damaged, the snubfins
will lose their food and their habitat/home.
Snubfins are very susceptible to chemical pollution, viruses and bacteria because they live close
to shore and have a relatively small range. A parasite found in cat faeces (Toxoplasma gondii) is
of particular concern, as it was found - via contaminated run-off - to be the cause of death of three
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins recovered around Townsville in the period 2000-2001.
Snubfin dolphins are more likely than other dolphins to be caught in gill nets because they prefer
inshore estuarine habitats where river-nets are set.
Snubfin families appear to spend much of their lives in very small territories close to shore. This
means snubfin populations can be heavily impacted by habitat destruction and unsustainable
development.

Ms Gibson said that habitat destruction was the key threat to these coastal dolphins.

"There are already development proposals around the Great Barrier Reef that could affect their habitat
like the extension of the Townsville Port that could have major impacts on these species. We must work
with all relevant stakeholders to initiate a strategic environment assessment of future developments close
to snubfin habitats."

Australia's largest online bank, ING DIRECT, joined WWF-Australia's flagship species conservation
program to help fund research into the snubfin dolphin, primarily in QLD.












"We are even more proud now that we have been able to help researchers uncover a range of remarkable
facts and insights that may help preserve this remarkable creature long into the future," said Christian
Bohlke, ING DIRECT Head of Branding and Communications.

ING DIRECT's funded research has not only given insights into the, until now, secret lives of these
dolphins, it has also revealed the threats they face from man.
"This overview sets the stage for the ongoing research needed to help us discover ways to minimise our
impact on these unique Australian creatures. Companies like ING DIRECT that fund this research are
helping us preserve an extraordinary creature and are building a legacy that will be enjoyed by
Australians for generations to come," Mr Bohlke continued.

Notes to editors:
* See full summary of top ten snubfin facts on page three of this document

For further media enquiries, please contact the following:
Alvin Stone, Media Officer, WWF-Australia, (02) 8202 1259, 0410 221 068
Lydia Gibson, Marine and Coasts Policy Manager, WWF-Australia, (02) 8202 1277, 0406 382 498
David Breen, ING Direct, (02) 9028 4347, 0412 933 060















































Ten snubby facts and threats:


1. Snubfin dolphins (Orcaella heinsohnii) are endemic to the Australian/Papua New Guinea region.
They are considered the rarest coastal dolphin in Queensland.

2. In 2008 the International Union for the Conservation of Nature upgraded the status of snubfin
dolphins from data deficient to near threatened. In Australia, the Commonwealth still lists the
snubfin dolphin as data deficient. Where populations of the snubfins cousins, the Irrawaddy, have
been measured, they have all turned out to be critically endangered and in decline.

3. Researchers are continuing to search for populations of snubfin and have already turned up a
number of hotspots for the dolphin.

a. In Queensland these include Princess Charlotte Bay, Hitchinbrook, Halifax Bay,
Cleveland Bay, Bowling Green Bay, Repulse Bay and Fitzroy River.

b. In Northern Territory the snubfin dolphin can be found at Darwin Harbour, Cobourg
Peninsula, the Alligator Rivers region and Kakadu National Park.

c. In the Kimberley Region of Western Australia they have been found in Roebuck Bay
near Broome, the Ord River/Cambridge Gulf, Prince Regent River, Cape Londonderry,
King Sound, King George River, Deception Bay and Yampi Sound.

4. Cleveland Bay in Queensland, may hold globally significant concentrations of snubfin dolphins.
However, these dolphins are vulnerable to local extinction because of the small population and its
movement into developing areas. This group is already considered to be a species that needs
priority management and conservation by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. In the
Kimberley the snubfins are lucky to live in a coastal marine environment, that up till now has
been one of the least impacted in the world by human activities. Roebuck Bay and other
Kimberley snubfin sites are globally significant due to the number of dolphin groups along the
coast here and the high potential to conserve and protect the snubfins if human impacts are
constrained.

5. Snubfin dolphins are more likely than other dolphins to be caught in gill nets because they prefer
inshore estuarine habitats where river-nets are set.

6. Coastal development is impinging on some snubfin hotspots. Several large natural gas facilities,
dams and port developments are planned for areas across the north of Australia. These will
impact on the dolphin's environment when sited near mangrove systems that support not only the
snubfins but the young of many other marine species.

7. In the remote northern section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park there may be many
important areas for snubfin dolphins. As a result, conservation groups have called for a review of
netting in these areas.

8. Snubfins are very susceptible to chemical pollution, viruses and bacteria because they live close
to shore and have a relatively small range. The concern for the snubfin dolphin follows the death
of three Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins recovered around Townsville in the period 2000-2001
that were infected by Toxoplasma gondii - a parasite usually found in cat faeces that appears to
have come from contaminated run-off.







9. Some snubfin dolphins in Western Australia have significant scars caused by being struck by boat
propellers. Researchers are working with communities to ensure that water users adopt
responsible boating behaviour where snubfins live.

10. Global warming will pose a significant threat to the snubfin dolphin, causing changes to food
sources through rising ocean temperatures. The most significant threat comes from rising sea
levels: the rich mangrove systems that support the snubfins and their food may well be lost. In
addition increased storms leading to flooding will affect the waters in coastal areas. These floods
could also increase the number of contaminants, chemical and biological, in the waters where
they live.