Sometimes, just like a shooting star someone lights up our world and lives. They make us turn our face to the heavens and make us delight in all the good and beauty of this world. Just like the shooting star they are all too often gone before we really have time to fully comprehend just how much they meant to us.
Over the past two years a Bottlenose Dolphin has delighted all who had the privilege of knowing her on the NSW Central Coast around the Gosford area, particularly in Brisbane Waters and Empire Bay.
Known for accompany the locals who work the waters, riding the bow waves of the local ferry bringing joy to those off to work or just hanging out in and around the bays. To many she became a beloved member of the local community.
Dolphins are highly intelligent and social animals who normally live in groups called pods but also know as ‘parties’ which seems very fitting. It is unusual for one to become a solitary animal, as they love the social interactions and safety of the pod. As with many such cases around the world they seem to seek out other social species to then interact with, unfortunately this is often human’s.
Very sadly the history of solitary whales around the world that start interacting with humans has had very few happy endings. We had all hoped that this dolphin would join up with a wild pod where she would be safe. Tragically over the weekend the dolphin became entangled in some ropes and drowned.
News of her death has shattered all those who loved and cared for her and we will all be the poorer for her passing. Just as the shooting star makes us look up to heaven and marvel at the amazing wonders of this world so this little soul taught us that so many of the other species we share this little rock with are intelligent, loving and full of fun.
None of us who knew her will ever be the same!
If you have the chance to interact with wild animals please don’t. In the end doing so is no good for them, just let them be wild and free as they should.