Minivdo: A Large Herd Of Whales Came Ashore At Racha Yai Island In Phuket.

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO on http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...php?news_id=320

Staff of the Racha Resort and Ban Raya Resort plus foreign tourists yesterday evening tried to help a herd of whales apparently identified as False Killer Whales which came ashore at Batoh Bay at Racha Yai Island. They put some of them on a trailer to another side of the island for first aid and helped them swim back to the deep sea. The herd of whales were spotted at around 6pm yesterday by villagers. Over 30 whales came ashore due to big waves and winds. Seeing that the whales could not swim back themselves, villagers then notified hotels. 20 of them swam back to sea safely, while one died on the beach and 10 of them were carried to a calmer beach. It took marine biologists and locals over 3 hours to help and transfer them. One however was injured and was put in a rubber boat to release in deeper water. A marine biologist from Phuket Marine Biological Centre, Kongkiat Kittipatanawong, said this is the first time that a large number of such whales have come ashore here. He suspected that the leader of the group must have misled them to shore. The big waves prevented them from turning back to sea. The biologist will still keep watch this morning, to ensure all of them return to the deep sea, while the dead whale would be sent for an autopsy

Andaman News NBT (VHF dial) at 8.30am & local Cable TV channel 1 + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, & possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket, Friday 27 June 2008 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ Contact [email protected]

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO on http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...php?news_id=330

Our interview is with Sontaya Manawattana, a Marine Veterinarian from the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, just after a dead dolphin was washed ashore at Mai Khao beach on Saturday 28 June, found at 7.30am by locals; just a day after 30 False Killer Whales also came ashore at Batoh Bay, Racha Yai Island on Thursday evening 26 June. 20 swam back to sea, 1 died on the beach, 10 were carried to a calmer beach on the other side of the island. We asked him if that was a bad week and coincidence for Phuket: ……. PMBC Rescue Centre: Tel 076 391128

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MiniVDO on http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...php?news_id=331

The incident of around 30 False Killer Whales coming on to the shore and people at Racha island helping to lead them back into the water is a good example of the heart of mankind. Amidst the political conflicts, natural threats and the down trend in the economy, today we hope to cheer all up by showing more about this example of caring humans of any race.

Just before dusk last Thursday when local villagers, workers, hotel management and tourists on Racha island off Phuket were either relaxing, working, discussing politics or enjoying their evening, they learnt that about 30 marine creatures looking like dolphins, later identified as False Killer Whales, had become stranded on shore in one of the bays. They started coming from about 6 o’clock and some even until 9.30 pm. But immediately the people on the island realized that they had to save some of the marine animals’ lives. All of them joined hands to help while others notified the expert officials. Thai hotel bosses and staff, even Burmese workers, and foreign tourists, regardless of nationalities and races lent their hands and did what they could to assist to save the lives of these rarely fully seen animals. Some whales were pushed back out in to the bay, while some had to be carried all the way over to another calmer bay on the small island. One resident said he was not even sure what type of animals they were, but came to help to maintain nature, while this tourist diver said he had been helping for hours. What moved our reporter most is that after three hours of operations in the dark, people got so exhausted and hungry helping the whales back to sea. He then realized someone made up a large pot of fried rice for all. Everyone enjoyed the meal. This was a good time to see the warmth and care of mankind for animals and humans in harmony:

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Andaman News NBT (VHF dial) at 8.30am & local Cable TV channel 1 + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, & possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket, Tuesday 1 July 2008 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ Contact [email protected]