This Dolphin needs to be released!

Today the 17th of February the released dolphin was seen 2 nautical miles of the coast of Donsak, Suratthani. The dolphin was doing well and in the company of 6 (Six) other dolphins of his species!!! ( A small blue ribbon is attached around its tail that will stay on for about two months which makes it easy to identify the dolphin.) We hope to get pictures soon to show on our site! Great news!!!

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 helped to release back to the sea. Last year, WFFT was part of the team with the DMCR and 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

A rare pink dolphin (Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin) kept at a resort on the island of Samui in southern Thailand is to be set free on Saturday the 11^th of February after government officials found that the wild caught animal was being trained to perform shows for tourists. The owner of the resort earlier claimed the dolphin was kept at the zoo for medical treatment only after it got “accidentally caught in nets of a fishing trawler”. 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 (Conference on International Trade in Endangered Species).

A veterinarian and specialists of the Phuket Marine Biological Center, a sub-division of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources are currently preparing the dolphin for a speedy release back into the gulf of Thailand. The dolphin has been kept at a swimming pool of a resort and zoo on the island for over three months. The Wildlife Friends of Thailand and Thai Animal Guardians Association who have both been campaigning for the release of the dolphin are assisting the release efforts with financial help of Care for the Wild International.

After the initial complaint sent by Edwin Wiek, director and founder of the Wildlife Friends of Thailand, to various government agencies several weeks ago it was the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources that acted swiftly to rescue the dolphin. The DMCR Director-General Dr. Maitree Duangsawasdi ordered his officials to study the possibility of a fast release for the sake of the animal and the conservation of its species. On Wednesday the 8^th of February it was concluded that the dolphin was physically fit for release and an appropriate release site was determined.

The rapid response and intervention by the DMCR to the complaints are a good indication that conservation of endangered marine wildlife is taken seriously and sends a clear message to people trying to exploit natural resources that the law will be enforced.

A wild Indo-Chinese Humpback Dolphin or Pink Dolphin (Sousa Chinensis) has been found at a small zoo on the island of Koh Samui, a very popular tourist destination in Thailand. The dolphin is currently being trained daily to perform shows for tourists visiting the zoo in the near future. It is currently kept at a swimming pool at the zoos resort, the Samui Orchid Resort.