Flipper causes a flap off Patong
PHUKET: Phuket had some rather unexpected tourists taking in the sights this morning (April 25) – two striped dolphins swimming in the shallow waters off Patong Beach.
Paritta Wangkiat
Wednesday 25 April 2012, 04:02PM
One of the dolphins was a baby measuring just one metre long, while its mother was about two metres in length, according to Patcharaporn Keaemoang, a vet from the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC).
Both appeared to be in good health, though were exhibiting signs of unusual behaviour. Locals reported that the two dolphins had repeatedly swum back towards the shallows despite them being helped back out to sea by onlookers.
Ms Patcharaporn speculated that the mother may be sick, or the pair may have strayed from their pod and become disorientated, which are both believed to be causes of dolphin strandings.
The two dolphins were eventually successfully led to deeper waters, and haven’t been seen again in the shallows as of early this afternoon.
