Estuary Guardians Mandurah

21/06/2026

Please put the number in your phone in case.

If you see multiple sick or dead birds or other wildlife, do not move them. Avoid contact. Record what you see. Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

We thank the incredible work by the person who found the bird, the wildlife carer who reported and DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory Services in this detection.

H5 bird flu confirmed in WA

Date of issue: Saturday 20 June 2026

⚠️ THE SITUATION ⚠️

The first case of H5 bird flu in Australia has been confirmed in a single seabird near Esperance on the south coast of Western Australia.

Internationally this disease has caused deaths in more than 560 species of birds and 100 species of mammals 🐥 🐧 🦭

We’re responding as part of a nationally coordinated plan with Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and stakeholders across WA to reduce the impact of this disease.

🙍‍♀️ WHAT YOU CAN DO 🙍‍♂️

1. Reduce the spread

- If you see multiple sick or dead birds or other wildlife, do not move them. Avoid contact. Record what you see. Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

- Keep pets away from wildlife, including preventing cats from roaming and keeping dogs on leads in wildlife areas.

- When going to and from national parks, reserves or farms, clean your shoes, clothing and vehicle to help prevent spreading diseases between places.

2. Reduce the risk to your poultry and pet birds.

- Prevent wild birds mixing with your birds, and accessing their feed and water.

- Keep pens, aviaries, feeders, water containers and equipment clean.

- Clean boots and wash hands thoroughly with soap before and after visiting poultry or handling birds.

- Monitor birds for signs of disease or sudden deaths and report multiple deaths.

19/06/2026

Vale, little one.

Sadly, Sputnik is currently mourning the loss of her two-week-old calf in the Dawesville area.

Dolphins grieve their young and will carry their deceased calf with them until they are no longer able to do so. During this time, a mother will spend all her energy focused on her calf, not resting or feeding. It must be an intensely stressful time for her. Especially as it was her first calf.

We ask the community to please consider giving all the dolphins extra space and remain at least 100 metres away if you see them. Do not approach her, and please do not attempt to remove the calf from her.

She will decide the time.

Thank you for helping us ensure Sputnik can grieve with her calf without disturbance.

A suitable name will be chosen from all the suggestions, thank you.💙

17/06/2026

The name Koa originates from Hawaiian culture, where it translates to "warrior," "brave one," or "fearless". We have our own Koa, who was badly entangled in crab pot netting at only 2 months old but by a miracle, was later seen completely free of the net! He continues to do well, with mother Anna.
In South Carolina, this brave Koa below, is living without tail flukes and incredibly thriving. Koa's story is one of triumph against all odds and pure determination to live. Living without tail flukes, Koa reminds us of both the vulnerability of marine life and the strength animals can show in the face of adversity.
Both Koas are a powerful reminder that human actions can significantly affect marine animals in lasting ways. Their inspiring resilience urges us to protect the waterways and reduce the risks dolphins face, from pollution, fishing gear, and other human impacts.

12/06/2026

Help name me! 💙
Last week Sputnik successfully birthed her first calf, which also made her mother Laika a grandmother ( possibly again as we suspect Willow and Wild Turkey may also be daughters).
To celebrate and wish the calf the best possible start to it's life we are asking for name suggestions, open to anyone. Laika's calf was named Star and Sputnik's might also have a space theme, or start with S or just be a beautiful name. A unisex name is preferred but not always used.
We have over 400 named dolphins in our region, so many names are already in use such as Comet, Stardust, Luna, Celeste, Celestrial, Djinda, Meeka, etc.
We would love your suggestions, with the name ultimately being randomly drawn. Thankyou!
Calves born to first time mothers are especially at risk, so we hope everyone will give the new family plenty of space 🙏

📷From land with 400mm zoom lens.

08/06/2026

Have you seen Wendy?
(Bendy) Wendy is one of our oldest dolphins. Our records on her date back 28 years when she was already an adult with a calf.
She frequents the Murray River, Serpentine River, shallows of Austin Bay, and even as far as southern Harvey Estuary.
She is the only dolphin who has white sunburn scars on both sides of her dorsal.
If you have seen her recently, please let us know. Thankyou 💙

📷Photos taken with 400mm zoom and then tightly cropped.

07/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who has been helping clear marine debris since the storm last weekend. Also those who searched for turtles and seabirds swept off course. Lives were saved.

07/06/2026

It's not about how close
It's about how wild.
Mandurah is blessed to have a resident population of wild dolphins.
Unfortunately over 4 months in summer, 8 of the dolphins died. 3 more are currently missing, including 2 who were always seen in town waters.
We encourage everyone to consider : it's not about how close we can get, it's about how wild we can keep them. And are our actions helping protect them.
We thank everyone who keeps their distance, reports injured, stranded or entangled dolphins, and feels like us, we are so lucky to have these wild animals in our waters.

05/06/2026

I'm brand new!
Born to a first time mum, days old and tiny. Everything is so new for our little family.
To help protect me - watch out ahead on the water, slow down and go around. 💙
Always leave a lot of space around us, as we learn and grow together.

📷 taken with 400mm zoom lens, then tightly cropped.

03/06/2026

Warning! Seahares, bluebottles and blowfish are all washed up onto our beaches and are all highly poisonous to dogs

**** WARNING ****

Morning everyone

We just want to inform all pet owners that there has been multiple sightings of Sea hares (large sea slugs) washed up on our local beaches after the weekend stormy weather.

These are highly toxic to dogs via contact or ingestion. We advise to keep dogs on a short leash at the beach so contact can be avoided and monitor closely at all times until the beach shores are clear of them.

The picture below is what they can look like when washed up on the beach for your reference.