Devastating images have been shared of a dolphin mother carrying her dead calf through the water in Claremont Bay, Perth.
The photos of the mother dolphin dubbed 'Mother Moon' and her calf were posted on Western Australia's Parks and Wildlife Facebook page on Tuesday.
The organisation said it was a "sad outcome" for the calf, which died after becoming tangled in a crab pot.
Mother Moon was spotted swimming alongside the calf as it was still stuck in the crab pot when the pair was spotted by a member of the public.
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"The dead calf has since been freed from the crab pot, but remains in the water with mother dolphin as she grieves," the organisation wrote on the post.
"Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures, and known to stay with their young for a period of time following their death."
The photo has been shared more than 600 times, with many Australians calling for fishing to be banned from the river.
"That's disgraceful. Fishing in the river should be banned all together. Let it be a safe haven for these beautiful creatures," one person commented.
Another user thanked the organisation for their prompt response.
"Thank you for your help and responding so quickly after I called you. Such a shame it was too late for the calf," they wrote.
Western Australia's Parks and Wildlife asked Perth residents to stay away from the pair, and also reminded them to safely dispose of all fishing lines and ropes.
Newshub.
