The calf of Whyalla, Australia's favorite dolphin was saved from sure death on Saturday.

Metres of tangled fishing line were caught in its mouth.

Fortunately the Environment and Heritage Department were called on Friday and told that a dolphin calf in the Whyalla marina had fishing line trailing from either side of its mouth.
Investigations soon found that it was the four-month-old baby of the resident female dolphin, which often follows boats in the marina.

Staff from Port Lincoln's department office started a rescue operation control center in Whyalla's Sea Rescue Squadron building early on Saturday morning.

A local net fisherman helped, as well as many local divers from Whyalla Dive Club. The operation went smoothly and the tangled fishing line was removed with little stress to the dolphins and the divers.

The calf was lucky to have the discarded 30lb fishing line removed from its mouth as it could have caused serious infections that would make feeding the calf nearly impossible.

Local marine researcher Jan Aldenhoven said that if the line became tangled around the calf's head it might not be able to suckle.

"They've got such small teeth that the line becomes easily caught.

"It would be really good if people can try and recover any line that is caught and not discard fishing line ... and if anyone is walking and sees fishing line could they pick it up and put it in the bin."

Jan would like to remind people that if they see a dolphin in distress they should call the

Department for Environment and Heritage as they are the ones responsible in carrying out
the rescue operations.

DEH would like to remind fishermen that their rubbish does have an impact on our marine environment and several meters of fishing line is all it takes to kill a dolphin.

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As the four female dolphins gracefully leaped and twirled, dazzling an audience at the Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, a less noticeable dolphin swimming in the back of the pool made waves today among the aquarium's animal experts.

Shedd officials hope "Jump," a 28-year-old male Pacific white-sided dolphin, will be able to woo the affections of his female companions at the lakefront aquarium and thus rekindle the institution's breeding program.

They also hope to have better luck this time with breeding than they did in 2003, when two females were successfully artificially impregnated, but their calves did not survive.

Jump was transported to Chicago from Sea World in San Antonio about a month ago. He has fathered several calves in the past few years.

In the wild, male dolphins swim into populations of females to breed, so at the aquarium they are trying to recreate a naturalistic social structure for dolphins.

The dolphins' breeding season begins in the late summer and lasts into the fall, and gestation takes about a year.

Officials last week introduced Jump to his tank mates: Kri, Tique, Piquet and Katrl. While the females initially were shy, they haven't lived with a male dolphin in about seven years ' they have since warmed up to their new pool buddy.

Jump apparently is eager to get to know his new companions, too.

During a news media introduction in the Whale Harbor dolphin habitat of the Shedd's Oceanarium, Jump performed tricks, tail walking and flipping on command. But between rewards of snacks and belly rubs, he would sneak away to see what his female counterparts were up to.

Jump certainly has won over the hearts of trainers working with him.

Jump was born in the wild and has lived in several aquariums. Officials were not sure how long Jump would stay at the Shedd. Dolphins live between 25 and 30 years, so his human keepers would not rule out the possibility he could spend the rest of his life in Chicago.

Animal keepers across the country re-evaluate their dolphin, otter and whale populations and try to make decisions that will be best for the entire population. Animals, especially males, are moved frequently for breeding purposes.

Currently, fewer than 20 Pacific white-sided dolphins are housed in aquariums and zoos
across the country.

Aquarium workers said they were optimistic Jump would swim on the good side of his
lady friends.

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Homosassa and Crystal River Area Scallop Tours

What is a Scallop? The text book definition says that a scallop is a member of the shellfish family known as bivalves, named for its two valves, or shells. Its upper valve is a dark mottled color, occasionally bright yellow or orange, and its lower valve is typically white.

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