The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, 2650 kilometres northwest of Perth, are well known for their incredible marine life – from the hundreds of species of fish, corals, molluscs and echinoderms to turtles and manta rays. However, there are also three dolphin species spotted quite regularly in Cocos waters: the Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis), the Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) and the Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus).
Like most dolphin species, the sociable dolphins in Cocos waters are known for jumping and spinning as well as bow-riding on the pressure wave in front of boats. Underwater photographs of these species are featured in this stamp issue. The Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin stamp features a photograph by Karen Willshaw, a landscape and underwater photographer who lives and works on Cocos.
Products released in this issue
- Stamps 3 x $1
- Covers (blank pictorial and gummed)
- Gutter strips x 10 (x 3, no design)
Technical specifications
- Issue date
- 17 May 2016
- Issue withdrawal date
- 30 November 2016
- Denominations
- 3 x $1
- Stamp design
- Simone Sakinofsky, Australia Post Design Studio
- Product design
- Simone Sakinofsky, Australia Post Design Studio
- Printer - gummed
- RA Printing
- Paper - gummed
- Tullis Russell Red Phos
- Printing process
- Offset lithography
- Stamp size
- 37.5mm x 26mm
- Perforations
- 14.60 x 13.86
- Sheet layout
- Module of 50
- FDI postmark
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands WA 6799
- FDI withdrawal date
- 14 June 2016
The Common Dolphin is a slender dolphin with a long beak that protrudes sharply from its face. The Common Dolphin is sighted regularly in the deeper waters of the Pulu Keeling National Park lagoon, often getting quite close to passing boats.
The Spinner Dolphin is usually spied in small groups, also in the waters of the inner lagoon. The Spinner Dolphin has a very long, thin beak, with a distinctive dark grey back, grey flanks and white belly.
The Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin is seen very regularly in the inner lagoon of the Cocos Keeling Islands, usually in groups. The Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin is similar in appearance to the Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), but is generally smaller, has a longer beak and develops spotting on the belly as mature adults.
This content was produced at the time of the stamp issue release date and will not be updated.
