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 In late 1987 a photograph appeared in the Adelaide Advertiser. It showed a young dolphin and a horse swimming together in the gray light of early dawn. The photo attracted Mike’s interest and initiated a 20 year study of the local dolphins which continues to this day.
(image © Mike Bossley).
 The dolphin in the photo become known as Billie. Her story encapsulates in many ways the story of these highly urbanized dolphins. Billie was an orphan when first encountered in 1987. In her 24 years, Billie experienced being trapped behind a lock, held in captivity and had five of her seven calves die in infancy. Sadly, Billie died in August 2009. You can read the full Billie story here.
(image © Mike Bossley)
 Mike’s patient, non invasive observations and photographs over the years has revealed that about thirty dolphins spend most of their time in the Port River estuary; an equal number visit regularly; and a further hundred or more visit on an occasional basis. Identifiable dolphins have been named and their fates tracked. Sadly, there have been many deaths and injuries caused by humans, some deliberate (shootings, stabbings and being speared) and some accidental (boat strikes and entanglements).
 The area has now been declared a dolphin sanctuary and is regularly patrolled by government rangers. WDCS continues to fund Mike’s research and he is currently Chair of the sanctuary’s advisory board. The Sanctuary is 118 km² extending from the upper reaches of the Port Adelaide River to North Haven, through North Arm and Barker Inlet, extending into Gulf St Vincent to Pt Gawler Conservation Park. You can visit the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary online.
Conditions for the dolphins in the estuary are gradually improving but their environment is still subject to many pressures, including increased tourism and other recreational activities, industrial development and an increase in the number of people living in the area. We cannot relax in our attempts to protect these dolphins and the environment on which they depend.
 The WDCS Adopt a dolphin program allows WDCS supporters a special link with these dolphin by providing insights into how they live and the latest findings and photographs from Mike’s research.
(image © Mike Bossley)
Celebrating the Port River Dolphins
Dolphins in the Port is an arts project celebrating and supporting the Port Rivers unique wildlife.
Dolphin Told Me is an exhibition of paintings by artist Herbert Neetzal, weaving ancient Greek mythological and contemporary personal elements
Visiting the Port River Dolphins
Visiting the Port River dolphins, such as Wave and Captain Hook and the other dolphins within our adopt-a-dolphin program is different to visiting dolphins in captivity. Although seeing dolphins held in aquariums allows you an opportunity to see dolphins up close, WDCS believes it is inherently cruel to imprison free ranging, sentient, sociable and intelligent species. A visit to the Port River will give you the opportunity to see and enjoy the natural behaviour of these dolphins in the wild. You can see the Port River dolphins by:
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