The first health survey
Coastal Dolphins in KwaZulu-Natal
Anti-shark nets set up along the coast of KwaZulu- Natal to protect swimmers from sharks unfortunately aIso catch small numbers of other marine animals . It is a tragedy that these dolphins are caught in the anti-shark nets but the PE Museum and KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board have ensured that these deaths are not in vain .
The animals are studied to determine as much as possible about them so that we can make informed conservation decisions about the populations of dolphins in our coastal waters .
A collaborative project was set up by Dr Stephanie Plön ( Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University ), the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover , Germany , the NZG and the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria ( UP ). Between 2010 and 2012 , Dr Morné de Wet , a veterinarian , did a master ’ s study at UP on the health status of 35 bottlenose ( Tursiops aduncus ) and 5 humpback dolphins ( Sousa plumbea ).
This was the first study of its kind in South Africa , as no other health assessment of the dolphins has been done . Coastal dolphins are regarded as indicators of changes in coastal marine ecosystem health that could impact humans utilizing the marine environment for food or recreation .
The most common conditions diagnosed were mild parasite infestations of the lung , skeletal muscle , skin intestine , liver and reproductive tract , as well as of the inner linings of the chest and abdomen . Most wildlife carry some parasites which cause them little damage .
Changes in parasite infestations over time may be due to changes in the environment that affect the parasite
2016 MAY 7