Lt Cdr Peerapon Pantasopon, Chief of the Security Division at the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command in Phuket, said, “A dolphin that has been grounded cannot be expected to push against heavy winds and tides. It could not swim back into the sea.”
Navy personnel stationed at Lanta Noi helped move the dolphin, 1.5 metres long and weighing 70 kilogrammes, onto a pickup truck. The dolphin’s spine was weak, and coupled with wounds, was unable to swim back into the sea.
Authorities took the dolphin to temporarily be kept in Lanta district, to await marine experts from Phuket, who have expertise in treating marine animals.