Crookedfin started visiting the beach sporadically in the 1970's. It was clear that she did not like to visit the beach when the male alliance, Sicklefin, Snubnose and Bibi were around. After the three males died from pollution (septic tank leakage) in 1989, she visited frequently up until her death in 1992. Her son, Cookie, was suddenly orphaned at 3.5 years, but seemed to find solace in associating with his older sister 'Puck' and his long-time male associate, Smokey (also orphaned at 3.5 years). Puck still visits the beach to this day. Crookedfin was always hesitant in allowing people to touch her and would beg for fish less often than other beach dolphins.

Cookie chose not to be involved in the beach feeding. Ever since he was weaned, Cookie has stayed away from the beach and is frequently sighted in Red Cliff Bay. Cookie bears large shark bite scars on his peduncle (tail stock), from an attack a few years ago.

Puck was most likely Crookedfins first surviving offspring. Like her mother, Puck visited the beach sporadically in the 1970's and 80's. However after her first calf (who died within days) was born, she became a regular visitor. Puck had five calves after that; the next two, Petal and Pepe, died within a couple of months after birth. Her fourth calf, 'Piccolo', survived to weaning and still visits Monkey Mia.

Pucks next daughter 'Kiya' was born in 1997 and she often comes to the beach with her mother. Kiya was attacked by a shark in 1999. If you happen to visit look for Kiya's shark bite scar on the left hand side of her body. These days Kiya is a podgy and lively juvenile, always delighting visitors to Monkey Mia.

Puck's newest calf was born in early December of 2002 and only survived for a few months, it died on March 31st, 2003. This calf was named Wada, which is an Aboriginal word meaning "Pearl". On March 31st, Puck and Wada came to the beach for the first feed of the day but neither of them came back for the second feed. Then, Puck returned in the afternoon, withough Wada. The most likely case was that Wada was taken by a shark sometime between the first and last feed of that day.

In 1994 Puck became entangled in a fishing net while chasing mullet. The fishermen did not notice, but fortunately Janet Mann had been following Nicky nearby and saw Puck struggling in the net. She alerted the fishers to release her from the net before she drowned. Puck had become wrapped in the net and couldn't surface to breathe. Time was of the essence. Piccolo was still quite young, just over one year of age, and was clearly panicking during the incident, whistling loudly and zipping back and forth. All the ridges on Puck's fin are scars from the incident, and if you visit Monkey Mia you might also see the net marks on her head. To date, netting is still allowed in Red Cliff Bay.

Now to tell you a little bit about Piccolo. She was born in 1992 and today is happy, healthy and large! She is the first calf born to a provisioned mother to survive and show an interest in people. (Joy, Nicky's younger sister, never showed an interest in people. Cookie, Puck's younger brother, also left the beach area as soon as his mother disappeared and stopped visiting.)

Piccolo is very close to Puck. She spends much of her time with her, both at and away from the beach. Puck and Piccolo probably have the strongest mother daughter relationship in Red Cliff Bay. When she is not with her mum, she is often with her girlfriend, 'Shock'. In early 2004, Piccolo gave birth to her first calf, Eden, making her one of the youngest dolphins to give birth in Shark Bay, at just over 11 years of age. We are happy to report that Eden is doing well!

In 1999 the Dept. of CALM attempted to hand feed Piccolo, while Researchers Amy Samuels, Cindy Flaherty and Kym Pearce observed closely. Piccolo seemed more interested in the attention than the fish. During the feeding trial Piccolo tried to offer the Ranger a fresh whiting she had caught (pictured above). This was possibly a tastier option than the dead fish she was being offered by the Ranger. Eventually however, Piccolo did start taking fish from the rangers and she is now one of the four provisioned dolphins. In February, 2004, Piccolo made the transition from taking fish from the rangers to taking fish from the tourists.

Nicky, named for the nick in her dorsal fin, was born in 1975 and is one of the most reliable beach dolphins in the history of Monkey Mia! She visits the beach almost everyday, even during mating season! Nicky and Puck the two main beach females, get along reasonably well. Occasionally they will get into spats at the beach. Puck, unlike Nicky, is well integrated into the Red Cliff Bay larger community of females.

Nicky's younger sister, Joy, born in 1979, rarely visits the beach and spends little time with her older sister. Even after both Joy and Nicky began having calves, they still spent little time together.

Nicky's first daughter 'Nipper' was lost to a pollution event (septic tank leakage) in 1989, that was likely responsible for five other deaths; Nipper was just over one year of age. Nicky's second calf 'Finnick' had the misfortune of being hand fed at a very young age. Regular provisioning made Finnick dependent on humans for food, and apparently unwilling to catch his own fish. He became emaciated and died one year after he was weaned. Nicky's next born son 'Nakita' died in 1994, before the beach feeding policies were changed.

Nicky's fourth calf 'Holikin' was born in August of 1995 and was successfully weaned at 32 months. This is the youngest weaning age recorded in the Shark Bay population (of dozens of calves). Holikin, named after his Grandmother Holeyfin, was small but energetic. Up until 2003, he was often seen hanging out in Red Cliff Bay with other young males. However, Holikin has not been seen since and it is thought that he, like most of Nicky's calves has died.

'Nomad' was born to Nicky in November of 1998. While he was still nursing, he had a tendency to wander hundreds of meters away from his mother- hence the name 'Nomad'. Like Holikin, Nomad was small. Nomad died in 2002. His best friend was called 'Sparky'. Sparky is much larger than Nomad was, although they are the same age. Nomad and Sparky both visited the beach with their mothers and Sparky still does. Since male calves are not fed at Monkey Mia, Sparky will visit less often once he is weaned.

In December 2002, right around the same time that Puck had Wada, Nicky had another calf. This calf is called Yadgalah, the Aboriginal word for "friend". Yadgalah is doing well and she comes into the beach when her mother is being fed.

Nicky didn't seem to share Holeyfin's affinity for Surprise. She frequently attacked Surprise in 1990 and 1991 when she came into the provisioning area. Holeyfin, who has always been close to Surprise, would defend Surprise against her own daughter, Nicky. Researchers suspect that without Holeyfin's help, Surprise would never have become a beach visitor.

When Surprise first began visiting, she often refused fish, showing little interest in the hand feeding. This interest changed one year later, when she had her first calf. However, even today Surprise accepts less fish from the Rangers than any other female. She is an impressive forager, constantly chasing and catching her own fish.

Shadow was Surprise's first known calf. He was born in December 1992, but only survived a few months. Her next born calf, Shock was successfully weaned and is very large for her age. Shock, like her mother, is an impressive forager. Also like her mother, they forage in the flats northeast of Monkey Mia. Both Shock and Surprise forage in predominantly shallow water (< 4m).

Sparky is Surprise's second surviving calf. Sparky was born in 1998 is doing exceptionally well- he is a mischievous frisky dolphin, and very large for his age. Sparky's newest sibling is Burda who was born in January 2003. Keeping with the theme of the beach dolphin calves that were born that year, Burda's name is the Aboriginal word for "star".