Lifeguards at the beach were alerted at about 5:20pm that a young dolphin had been found in distress in shallow water near the bridge at the southern end of Patong Beach.
Soon after, lifeguards as well as Patong Police and Kusoildharm rescue workers were at the scene. Marine biologists at the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animal Rescue Center at Ao Makham, on Phuket’s east coast, also soon arrived.
The marine life experts checked the dolphin for obvious signs of injury and found a wound on its tail. Coordinated efforts then saw the young dolphin brought ashore and rushed to the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animal Rescue Center.
Marine biologists at the centre later confirmed that the dolphin had died. Details of any infections the dolphin may have been suffering or how serious the wound on the tail was have yet to be announced.