The lakes are home to about 50 of the recently described species of Bottlenose dolphin, the Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis).
Kate Charlton-Robb, born in Mornington Peninsula is an Australian zoologist, molecular genetist, researcher of Monash University, who, along with colleagues, declared in 2011 a new species of Tursiops genera, and formally named Tursiops australis.