Regional Assessment of the Conservation Status of Snubfin Dolphins (Orcaella heinsohni) in the Kimberley Region, Western Australia

Implementing conservation measures for data-limited species is a fundamental challenge wildlife managers and policy-makers, proves difficult cryptic marine animals occurring in naturally low numbers across remote seascapes. There currently scant information on the abundance habitat preferences of Australian snubfin dolphins ( Orcaella heinsohni ) throughout much their geographical range, especially within Kimberley region northern Western Australia. Such knowledge gaps curtail rigorous threat assessments both local regional scales. To address this assist future listings, we built first comprehensive catalog dolphin sightings Kimberley. We used these data to estimate species’ extent occurrence (EOO) area occupancy (AOO) along region’s 7,000 km coastline, following simple Bootstrap bivariate kernel approach combine datasets varying quality quantify uncertainty. Our consists 1,597 visual detections made over period 17 years (2004–2020) collated from multiple sources, including online biodiversity repositories, peer-reviewed scientific articles, citizen science programs, as well dedicated surveys with Indigenous communities Ranger groups. Snubfin were consistently encountered shallow waters (<21 m depth) close (<15 km) freshwater inputs, high detection rates known hotspots (e.g., Roebuck Bay, Cygnet Bay) coastal habitats suspected be suitable Prince Regent River surrounds, King Sound, Doubtful Napier Broome Bay upper Cambridge Gulf). estimates EOO AOO 38,300 (95% CI: 25,451–42,437) 2 700 (656–736) respectively, suggesting that are likely Vulnerable under IUCN criteria B2 at scale, keeping global classification. study offers insights into distribution vulnerable cetacean demonstrates value integrating sources informing face