SHORT COMMUNICATION Short-term survival of severe propeller strike injuries and observations on wound progression in a bottlenose dolphin

Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand(Received 30 July 2013; accepted 8 October 2013)Until recently, vessel collisions with small cetaceans were presumed rare, mainly as a consequence oflimited reporting. Observations on dolphin wound healing from propeller strike injuries also remainscarce. We present an extreme case of a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) with multiple propellerwounds, including a penetration to the bone, where survival was possible for at least 23 days postinjury. We used photographic records in conjunction with field observations to describe woundprogression in the absence of treatment. Considering the severity of the wounds, it was surprising thatthe injuries were not immediately fatal. A practical solution remains to be found for the problem ofodontocete vessel collisions, in particular for small highly mobile species using neritic waters. In viewof the ongoing problem in the Hauraki Gulf and, indeed, worldwide, we recommend continuedevaluation of cases and reporting of incidents, in addition to investigations into mechanisms that mayreduce the risk of occurrence of vessel collisions with cetaceans.Keywords: vessel collision; propeller strike; bottlenose dolphin; Tursiops truncatus; New Zealand