A Swan River mother dolphin has washed up dead, entangled in fishing line and plastic waste.

Last week, WAtoday reported government rangers were keeping a close eye on Highnitch and her calf after reports she was entangled in fishing line and also suffering from a skin condition.

Last Monday rangers responded to reports from commercial vessel operators at Barrack Street Jetty and Eliabeth Quay and managed to cut part of the line off Highnitch.

But on Wednesday a member of the public reported a dead dolphin on the Como foreshore and rangers confirmed it was the same dolphin, said Kerry Trayler, estuaries science division head in the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions.

The entanglement was more severe than rangers had been able to see last week, continuing to Highnitch’s tail fin and wrapping around it, and now a plastic bag…