Heartbreaking pictures reveal the moment a grieving dolphin carried away her dead calf after it became trapped in a crab pot.
The harrowing images of the dolphins were shared on the Western Australian wildlife research group's Facebook on Tuesday.
The environmentalists noticed the mother dolphin, Moon, swimming next to her baby which had become tangled in a crab pot in Claremont Bay, Perth.
It's said the calf was already dead when located after being reported by a member of the public at Swan Canning Riverpark.
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The wildlife service said: "The dead calf has since been freed from the crab pot, but remains in the water with the mother dolphin as she grieves.
"Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures and are known to stay with their young for a period of time following a death."
The researchers said the team would monitor the dolphin and remove the calf at an appropriate time.
They also asked the public to stay away from Moon and her dead calf during this time.
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"This is a timely reminder to safely dispose of all fishing lines and ropes and report any tangled wildlife immediately," the post read.
The post has drawn hundreds of comments as some of them slammed for the irresponsible fishing activities.
'Cate O'Connor' suggested crab pots should not be allowed in the river.
'Luciana Giancristofaro' said fishing in the river should be banned in order to provide a 'safe haven' for the beautiful creatures.
One was left shattered to see an animal suffers because of 'human selfishness and stupidity'.
