NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: The carcass of a dolphin has been found floating in the sea about two kilometres from the coast of Hua Sai district, a marine and coastal resources research centre in this southern province.
The dead dolphin, about 2.5 metres long and weighing about 150 kilogrammes, was found off the Hua Sai bay in tambon Ko Phet, according to a report on Wednesday from Pithani Yodsurang, a member of the the province's network for helping rare marine life.
The carcass was decaying, and the dolphin was believed to have died about a week ago. Fishermen had not been able to haul it ashore due to a heavy storm and high waves.
Pimchanok Prajamkhai, a veterinarian at the marine and coastal resources research centre for the middle Gulf of Thailand, said that judging from the pictures sent to her office the dolphin was believed to be a female humpback. The cause of its death was not known, pending an examination after the carcass had been brought ashore.
During the past six months, numerous dolphins and sea turtles have been found dead along the coastline of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Examination of their carcasses commongly revealed plastic materials used for fishing in their stomachs, while some had suffered wounds from fishing equipment.