Dolphin dies at Coffs Harbour Marine Conservation Park

The death of the oldest dolphin at the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park in Coffs Harbour this week has brought into focus the need for an ocean sanctuary for cetaceans.

Park Veterinarian Dr Duan March said the dolphin, known as Calamity, who was in her 40s, had been unwell for months as a result of a cancerous in her mouth.

With her condition deteriorating, the team operated, but Calamity died during surgery earlier this week.

Dr March told the ABC "it was risky going ahead (but) "we needed to do something because the mass was getting to the point where if we didn't operate we wouldn't have been able to remove it surgically."

A necropsy revealed the cancer had spread to her lungs and lymph nodes.

Dr March said this type of cancer was found in both captive and wild dolphins, advising that the cancer can develop from "warty-type" growths in dolphins associated with the viral infection papillomavirus.

Calamity's death comes less than a year after her partner, 49-year-old Bucky, died weeks after the successful removal of a cancerous lump from his shoulder.

Dr March said the team wanted the same specialist who operated on Bucky to fly over from the United States to remove Calamity's cancer, but COVID-19 travel restrictions prevented the doctor's travel.

Both dolphins were rescued at a young age and were deemed unsuitable for release due to the severity of their injuries.

The pair's three offspring Zippy, Bella, and Jet were the last dolphins bred at the park.

Dr March said the team was closely monitoring papilloma tumours discovered in Zippy's mouth.

He said younger dolphins Bella and Jet were in good health, but they could be at risk of developing cancerous growths as a result of the viral infection, adding “as they get older it's something that we'll have to keep an eye on.”

Calamity's death has placed renewed focus on the need for an ocean sanctuary pen in the region.

Jordan Sosnowski from Action For Dolphins has partnered with the Park and World Animal Protection in developing the concept for a sea pen on the Coffs Coast.

Advising that the issue is not as simple as releasing the remaining dolphins back into the ocean, Sosnowski stated "all those dolphins have been born in captivity. Releasing them into the wild would be very cruel.”

However, the ocean sanctuary will require Federal and NSW Government fund to be viable.

Dolphin Marine Conservation Park Managing Director Terry Goodall said Calamity's death would not stop the park from rescuing and rehabilitating marine animals.

He added "hopefully you don't have to keep them, you can let them go.

"That would be one of the great things about a sea pen."

As Coronavirus restrictions ease, the Park is expected to reopen to the public next week.

Images: Dolphins at the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park (top) and the concept for the ocean sancturary (below).