A group of six whales were discovered stranded in the area at about 3am. Local villagers quickly sprang into action to provide immediate care and assistance while waiting for the tide to rise. Tragically, one of the whales did not survive the ordeal.
The stranded whales were identified as pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata), a species typically found in deep, warm waters between latitudes 40°N and 35°S.
The whales are rarely seen near shore unless the coastline is characterised by deep, clear waters. Previous instances of pygmy killer whale strandings have been reported in Thailand’s Phetchaburi and Trang provinces.
It is believed that the group of whales may have become disoriented and separated from their pod or were driven ashore by strong waves. Among the six whales found, one was critically injured, prompting immediate and urgent rescue efforts.
Therdsak Mitwong of the Thalang Fisheries Office and Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong, Director of the Marine Resources Research Center of the Upper Andaman Coast, arrived at the scene with a team from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR).
The critically injured whale received emergency treatment, including glucose and saline, while the remaining five whales were observed swimming near the mangrove forest.
Rescue teams used boats to gently guide the whales away from the shore, ensuring their safe return to deeper waters.