Heartbreaking photos show a dolphin named Moon carrying her dead calf through the water after it became trapped in a crab pot
- A dolphin calf has died after becoming tangled in a crab pot in Western Australia
- A horrifying image captured the moment the mother mourned the dead dolphin
- Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures, known to stay together after death
A heartbreaking image has emerged of a dolphin named Moon carrying her dead calf through the water after it became tangled in a crab pot.
The horrifying picture, which was captured in Perth's Claremont Bay, was shared on Facebook by Western Australia's Parks and Wildlife on Tuesday.
'A sad outcome for one of the Swan Canning Riverpark’s new dolphin calves,' the post read.
Moon can be seen carrying her dead baby through the water after it became tangle dina crab pot in Perth's
Western Australia's Parks and Wildlife has urged people to report any tangled wildlife
'Mother Moon was swimming alongside the calf when the pair was located by the Parks and Wildlife Service on Monday after being reported by a member of the public.
'The dead calf has since been freed from the crab pot, but remains in the water with the mother dolphin as she grieves.
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'Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures and are known to stay with their young for a period of time following a death.
'We will continue to monitor the pair and remove the calf when appropriate to do so. We ask the public to stay well away from the dolphin and her dead calf during this time.'
Social media users were left shattered by the image, with some people struggling to look at the picture .
The young dolphin died after becoming trapped in a crab pot in Perth
'Terrible and so sad We should clean up our waste all the time Then this wouldn't happen,' one person said.
'Tragic loss of this baby!!! Ashamed that a fellow human being caused this cruel death because they were too lazy to properly remove their gear from the river!!!! Hope something is done to prevent another tragedy,' another person said.
'Nooooo I can't even look - it's heartbreaking - you can feel the Mother's pain. So unfair and unnecessary.'
Parks and Wildlife has urged people to report any tangled wildlife to the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.
