Search is on for baby dolphin's new name

• Health of Swan and Canning rivers' dolphins improving

Perth's newest dolphin calf is looking for a name.  The baby Bottlenose dolphin is now a healthy eight-month-old and is regularly seen swimming in the Swan Canning Riverpark with its protective mum, Highnitch, who has been a long-term resident of the river.

Environment Minister Bill Marmion today announced a competition to name the calf - one of at least 20 Bottlenose dolphins now resident in the riverpark.

"Our river dolphin population is recovering and it is especially encouraging to see calves being born," Mr Marmion said.

"We now have four resident mother and calf dolphin pairs living in the riverpark.  Dolphins are one of the most loved animals in the river and I want the public to have a chance to get closer to them by submitting names for the newest calf."

A major research program began in July 2011 to help shed light on the lives of river dolphins, including the size and structure of their group.  More than 300 Swan River Trust Dolphin Watch volunteers have been reporting their dolphin sightings and behavioural observations to the project run by Murdoch and Curtin universities.

Preliminary results indicate the resident river dolphins comprise the four mothers and their calves and 12 other adults and juveniles, including a number of 'alliances' of tightly-bonded adult males. The resident numbers are boosted at times by visits from coastal dolphins, including several other mother and calf pairs sighted on occasion in the river.

"I thank the Dolphin Watch volunteers for their assistance in monitoring our river dolphin population and look forward to the report later this year," the Minister said.

Mr Marmion was joined by Murdoch University dolphin expert Dr Hugh Finn and Western Australia's Chief Scientist Professor Lyn Beazley to launch the competition at the new Swan River Trust dolphin education display at Scitech.

       Fact File

• Entries to name the new dolphin calf can be lodged at Scitech or sent to the Swan River Trust, PO Box 6829, East Perth, 6892 or emailed to dolphinname@swanrivertrust.wa.gov.au - by May 25
• Dolphin Watch volunteers are helping scientists build crucial data on the dolphins. Next training night for volunteers is at Scitech on May 23

Minister's office  - 6552 6800

Highnitch and dolphin calf.