Dolphin, whale die on beaches

PHUKET: Monsoon storms are probably to blame for the deaths of a young dolphin found on Mai Khao Beach and a whale found at Koh Racha Yai. The 1.7-meter spinner dolphin was discovered by staff of the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa at 4 pm yesterday. Supot Chantrapornsyl, Marine Biologist at the Phuket Marine Biology Center, told the Gazette that the dolphin was four or five years old. This morning, the body of a 10-meter Bryde’s whale was found on the sand at Ao Tok, Koh Racha Yai. K. Supot said that marine mammals sometimes beach themselves when they are suffering from pneumonia, and stormy weather made this more likely. He said that both corpses would be checked to determine the factors involved in their deaths.