New home for 3 former Atlantis dolphins

Three of the Atlantis dolphins have found a new home in a landmark agreement between the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) and Underwater World in Perth.

Today, Environment Minister Bob Pearce announced the establishment of a new marine mammal program which would see the dolphins based at a special facility at Underwater World in Hillarys Boat Harbour.

Mr Pearce said of the original nine Atlantis dolphins being rehabilitated back into the wild, Mila, Rajah and Echo had not been foraging for food successfully and had lost weight.

"The well-being of the dolphins is our main concern and expert opinion is that these dolphins will probably never be able to become fully independent in the wild," he said.

"This new program will give the dolphins a secure home at Underwater World, but they will be taken out to sea regularly under the supervision of dolphin experts.

"There will be no dolphin performances as there were at Atlantis."

Mr Pearce said the three dolphins had been recaptured and were now being cared for at Two Rocks until the special facility was built in the harbour, adjacent to Underwater World.

"It is expected that the dolphins will be transferred to Hillarys in July," Mr Pearce said.

The Minister congratulated all those responsible for the successful rehabilitation of the Atlantis seals and most of the dolphins.

He said the State Government appreciated the efforts made by the former Japanese owners of Atlantis, the Tokyu Corporation, which had spent more than $2 million on the rehabilitation program.

Since the nine Atlantis dolphins were released in January, two had survived well in the wild and had travelled considerable distances from the release site at Two Rocks Marina.

Three others were thought to be doing well in the wild but their whereabouts were unknown, as radio tracking equipment appeared to have failed.

One dolphin calf had died.

Mr Pearce said the new facility at Underwater World would provide access to the public with a focus on education, research and marine conservation generally.

"Education programs will be established jointly by CALM and Underwater World to help develop public awareness and concern for marine mammal conservation.

"As well, a program will be formulated to allow existing CALM, Marmion Marine Park and Underwater World volunteers help with the dolphins.

"We also hope that further along the track, a joint facility will be established at Hillarys to care for and rehabilitate stranded marine mammals," Mr Pearce said.

Underwater World and CALM will continue to monitor the remaining five dolphins over the next twelve months. At the end of this period the whole program will be reviewed.