Indo-Pacific humpback (pink) dolphin released

The Marine Connection were delighted to receive news from our colleagues in Thailand regarding the wild caught Indo-Pacific humpback (pink) dolphin that was kept in a small swimming pool for over three months at a resort on the island of Samui in Southern Thailand had been successfully released back into the Gulf of Thailand on the morning of Saturday February 11.

Veterinarians and specialists from the Wildlife Friends of Thailand (WFFT) and Phuket Marine Biological Center, a sub- division of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), teamed up to make preparations and to ensure the safety of the endangered species for the delicate operation. Using a custom made stretcher, the team moved the dolphin from the Samui Orchid Resort's swimming pool onto a boat provided by Scuba Planet, a diving company that had cancelled its dive trips for the day. The dolphin was under constant monitoring by vets from WFFT and DMRC during the two and a half hour journey to an area 35 km off the island often spotted with pink dolphins. Within seconds after lowering into the sea, the dolphin swam off and disappeared to his freedom.

Edwin Wiek said, "The release was very successful, with three days of preparations and the help of several government officials, volunteers and local business people we were able to set up a smooth operation where minimum amount of stress was put upon the dolphin. Just like the dolphin released a year ago, this one also seemed happy to regain its freedom, swimming off like a rocket into the sea."

This is the second dolphin the Wildlife Friends of Thailand have released back to the sea. Last year, WFFT rescued and released into the Andaman Sea a dolphin which the Asian tsunami had trapped into a small lagoon half a mile from the beach. The owner of the island resort had claimed that the dolphin was kept at the resort for medical treatment only after it was "accidentally caught in the nets of a fishing trawler". However, witnesses reported seeing the dolphin being trained to perform for tourist shows. There were also reports of the dolphin jumping out of the pool risking serious injuries. DMCR Director-General Dr. Maitree Duangsawasdi ordered the study of a possible release for the sake of the dolphin's welfare and the conservation of its species after a formal complaint sent to various government agencies by WFFT founder and director Edwin Wiek.

The Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin is categorized under Appendix 1 of the
CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species). About 500 to 600 Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins are believed to inhabit the seas around Thailand, migrating between the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Wildlife Friends of Thailand, is a Thai based organization actively involved in rescuing wild animals and helping to conserve their habitat. The Wildlife Friends of Thailand operate a mobile wildlife rescue unit and is Thailand's biggest NGO-run wildlife rescue centre.