Phuket Tourists, Jet-Ski Operator Scramble To Stave Off Dolphin Beaching

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Phuket tourists, jet-ski operator scramble to stave off dolphin beaching

Phuket Gazette

One of the two dolphins that nearly beached in Patong Bay yesterday morning. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

The relative sizes and behavior of the two dolphins led most who saw them to suspect they were mother and calf. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A pair of dolphins came dangerously close to beaching themselves on Patong Beach, on Phuket’s west coast, yesterday morning, but were successfully herded back out to deeper water.

However, biologists from the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) still fear for their safety.

The dolphins were first spotted in shallow waters opposite the Patong Beach Resort at about 9am.

Initial attempts by tourists to help the cetaceans out to deeper water failed when both animals headed back toward shore further north about 15 minutes later.

“In the morning, I and other beach business operators in the area noticed the two dolphins swimming toward the shore. We assumed from the difference in their sizes that they were mother and calf,” said Suthipun Kongkaew, owner of a jet-ski rental operation on Patong Beach.

The larger of the two dolphins was about two meters long; the other about half that size.

A second attempt to herd the animals offshore with jet-skis was apparently successful, but Mr Suthipin still fears for their safety.

“Both of them seemed weak. Although they were successfully brought back to deeper water, we fear they may get confused and try to beach again,” he said, adding that there are many boats in the area where the dolphins were last seen.

PMBC veterinarian Patcharaporn Kaewmong shared Mr Suthipin’s concern.

“Judging from the description given by the beach business owner and other witnesses, they might have been Striped Dolphins, but we won’t be able to confirm that unless they beach again.

“I suspect they are mother and calf. One of them may be sick, because dolphins usually will beach only when they are ill,” she said.

Photos of the dolphins suggests they are in fact Striped Dolphins, which travel in pods numbering from 10 to 100 and reach a maximum age of about 58.

Although just as acrobatic as Bottlenose Dolphins, all efforts to raise them in captivity have failed because they refuse to be fed. Their diet comprises fish, squid, octopus, krill and other crustaceans.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle12866.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-04-26

[yougivemebaby]

The dolphins better not damage the jetski's. They might get beat up by the owners

[thurien]

The dolphins better not damage the jetski's. They might get beat up by the owners

no worries, the owners meanwhile have comprehensive insurances which also cover

dolphin attacks

[blackthorn2005]

The dolphins better not damage the jetski's. They might get beat up by the owners

no worries, the owners meanwhile have comprehensive insurances which also cover

dolphin attacks

This maybe why the dolphins are sick, already had a run in with the jetski operators, insurance companies are rarely used.

[TackyToo]

Wow, looks like they finally hired a spin doctor and a PR-agency to create a clean image. It's a little too late isn't it?

[deesquared]

Is it just me or does the water in these photos look really dirty? I avoid Phuket as much as I can but I thought the water there was a bit more blue/green. No?

[IsaanUSA]

Is it just me or does the water in these photos look really dirty? I avoid Phuket as much as I can but I thought the water there was a bit more blue/green. No?

I was thinking the same thing. Well fellas, what's going on with the murky water?

[Gerryasia]

'Tis the season for high waves and murky water...combined with the recent heavy rain runoff. Will be on and off like that all rainy season...but GREAT surfing! Hang Five Braddahs!

[Valentine]

'Tis the season for high waves and murky water...combined with the recent heavy rain runoff. Will be on and off like that all rainy season...but GREAT surfing! Hang Five Braddahs!

I guess almost impossible to hang ten these days on the small boards. I feel murky water has become greater over the years with excessive development & tree felling. Hope the dolphins make it.

[BusyBee123]

hope they managed to swim past the gazillion plastic bags in the water