THAILAND - Rare pink dolphin confiscated and released

[Guest guest]

The wild caught rare pink dolphin ((Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin) that was

kept in a small swimming pool for over three months at a resort on the

island of Samui in Southern Thailand was successfully released back into the

Gulf of Thailand on the morning of Saturday the 11th of February.

 

 

 

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 that " the release was very successful, with three days of

preparations and the help of several 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 to dolphin a year ago

this one as 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. 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

 

 

 

" We would like to praise the Thai authorities for acting swiftly to bring

this unfortunate animal back to the wild " , says Dr Barbara Maas, Chief

Executive of UK-based conservation group Care for the Wild International

which offered financial aid for the release operation. " They are sending a

clear message to those who deliberately catch dolphins in fishing nets and

claim that it was accidental, that this kind of personal profiteering at the

cost of Thailand's wildlife heritage cannot be tolerated. "

 

 

 

" Dolphins are not easily caught and try fiercely to come loose from the

nets. Most are severely injured causing infections that prove to be fatal

and many die from dehydration or severe stress caused by captivity and

training for shows. A similar zoo with dolphins in Thailand was founded 15

years ago in Chanthaburi Province with the " rescue " of one dolphin and

currently houses over 20 wild-caught dolphins, which are a popular

attraction for visitors to swim with these endangered animals " , says Edwin

Wiek.

 

 

 

The capturing and trade of all species of dolphin is illegal under both Thai

and international law. 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.

 

 

 

The Wildlife Friends of Thailand is a Thai based organization actively

involved in rescuing wild animals an helping to conserve their habitat. The

wildlife friends of Thailand operate a mobile wildlife rescue unit and

Thailand's biggest NGO-run rescue center. For more info www.wfft.org

<http://www.wfft.org/>