Local residents reported finding a stranded male dolphin ong the beach. Despite their initial efforts to assist by pushing it back into the water, the dolphin returned to the shore within an hour later.
Recognising the urgency, the local residents promptly contacted the authorities from Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park to provide assistance.
Officers arrived to find that the male striped dolphin, 206cm long and weighing 54kg, had suffered injuries to its dorsal fin and along the the side of its body.
The dolphin also exhibited signs of weakness, fatigue and rapid breathing. Its heart rate was 130 beats per minute and its respiratory rate was recorded as 27 times per minute.
The dolphin was brought back to the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animal Rescue Center, based at Cape Panwa on Phuket, where it is still receiving treatment.
At this stage marine biologists have not speculated on the dolphin’s illness or the cause of its injuries.