Source : Bangkok Post, Thailand, 05 Jan '05
By : Kultida Samabuddhi
  

Marine biologists were unsure about the number of dolphins that had been thrown into the lake by the force of the tidal waves on Dec 26.

They believe there could be more than one dolphin in the five-metre-deep lake, about 700m from the beachfront in tambon Kuek Kak. At least one, about 10 years old, has been the centre of the rescue operation's efforts.

Natural Resources and Environment Suvit Khunkitti yesterday supervised the rescue operation involving about 150 volunteers, including marine biologists from the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, international wildlife experts, Greek rescue divers, the Ruam Katanyu Foundation and local fishermen.

The dolphin, weighing about 60kg, is about two metres long. Rescuers have already spent two days trying to catch it to release it back into the sea. Local fishermen yesterday surrounded the lake with a large fishing net. The dolphin was guided into a smaller area but eventually escaped from the net.

The operation was called off at 4pm.

Jim Styers, chief consultant of the Myanmar Dolphin Project, said the problem was that the net became entangled with debris at the bottom of the lake, tearing it and opening up a large hole for the dolphin to swim through.

``Maybe we need a few days to clear the debris at the bottom and then we will put in the net to catch the dolphin again,'' Mr Styers said.

Mr Suvit said the ministry would try their best to rescue the dolphin.

``The life of this dolphin is very meaningful to the rescue team. It will bring us some happiness. If [the rescue attempt is] successful, the dolphin will be a little good thing in this great tragedy,'' the minister said.

Mr Suvit appointed the director of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, Wannakiat Taptimsaeng, to head the continuing rescue operation.