KHAO LAK, PANG NGA (Reuters)- After three days of trying, a 100-strong team late Wednesday saved a dolphin that had been washed ashore by the tsunami and trapped in a lake in southwest Thailand.
Rescuers netted the white dolphin, carried it to a truck and freed it in the ocean 500 metres away– concluding a saga that captured the hearts of many in this Buddhist nation.
"It had some skin lesions and we gave it an antibiotic injection," said Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong from the Phuket Marine Biological Centre.
The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin was then laid on an airbed in the truck and covered with wet towels for its brief journey back to the ocean.
Rescuers had reported two dolphins trapped in the lake just north of the devastated resort area of Khao Lak in Phang Nga province after the waves roared ashore on December 26.
Mr Kittiwattanawong said he had seen only one mammal.
"We will keep looking for the other one but personally I don't think there is another one," he said.
The plight of the dolphin, or dolphins, was discovered on Sunday.
Since Monday a team of marine biologists, soldiers, fishermen, Greek firemen, and even a Thai movie star had battled to try to save the mammals.
Nets became snagged on debris below the surface, allowing the mammal or mammals to escape several times.
The lake was originally filled with fresh water until salt water poured in but rescuers had become increasingly worried about their plight, with few food sources.
Scores of locals had gathered on the banks to watch the drama.
"I have come to see the dolphins. Thai people have to respect all living creatures. We pity their fate," said 62-year-old farmer Somsak Tonkeng.
Among those assisting the rescue was Thai actor Bin Banloerit, who proved to be as big a draw card with the locals as the mammals.
The 43-year-old star has spent more than a week plucking bodies from the wreckage of houses, restaurants, shops and resorts obliterated by the giant waves in his capacity as a volunteer for Thai rescue organisation, the Ruamkatanyu Foundation.
"Trying to save the dolphins is just another part of what we must do to help," he said.
"This was a tragedy. Thailand is grieving."
Rescuers netted the white dolphin, carried it to a truck and freed it in the ocean 500 metres away– concluding a saga that captured the hearts of many in this Buddhist nation.
"It had some skin lesions and we gave it an antibiotic injection," said Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong from the Phuket Marine Biological Centre.
The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin was then laid on an airbed in the truck and covered with wet towels for its brief journey back to the ocean.
Rescuers had reported two dolphins trapped in the lake just north of the devastated resort area of Khao Lak in Phang Nga province after the waves roared ashore on December 26.
Mr Kittiwattanawong said he had seen only one mammal.
"We will keep looking for the other one but personally I don't think there is another one," he said.
The plight of the dolphin, or dolphins, was discovered on Sunday.
Since Monday a team of marine biologists, soldiers, fishermen, Greek firemen, and even a Thai movie star had battled to try to save the mammals.
Nets became snagged on debris below the surface, allowing the mammal or mammals to escape several times.
The lake was originally filled with fresh water until salt water poured in but rescuers had become increasingly worried about their plight, with few food sources.
Scores of locals had gathered on the banks to watch the drama.
"I have come to see the dolphins. Thai people have to respect all living creatures. We pity their fate," said 62-year-old farmer Somsak Tonkeng.
Among those assisting the rescue was Thai actor Bin Banloerit, who proved to be as big a draw card with the locals as the mammals.
The 43-year-old star has spent more than a week plucking bodies from the wreckage of houses, restaurants, shops and resorts obliterated by the giant waves in his capacity as a volunteer for Thai rescue organisation, the Ruamkatanyu Foundation.
"Trying to save the dolphins is just another part of what we must do to help," he said.
"This was a tragedy. Thailand is grieving."