“Nong Red’ slowly recovering

AO MAKHAM: The spinner dolphin that washed ashore at Karon Beach on July 1 is recovering slowly after a full month at the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC), where she was taken for treatment of a severe respiratory infection and other ailments.

PMBC Biologist Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong told the Gazette this afternoon that the dolphin, nicknamed Nong Red, has faced numerous health problems, including respiratory and circulatory difficulties, a stomach infection and an inflamed muscle.

While her breathing has improved and the swelling in the muscle has subsided, her stomach infection has worsened, he said.

“We are relieved that her lung infection is healing, but we still expect it to take many more months for her to fully recover,” he added.

Also slowly recovering at the PMBC’s Endangered Species Unit is a 5.7-kilogram green turtle that was found washed ashore at Le Phang Beach on July 10, he said.

PMBC researchers are also examining the remains of 3.5-meter, 700-kilogram sperm whale that died on Sunday after becoming stranded in a mangrove forest near Haad Chaomai National Park in Trang’s Kantang district, despite a heroic effort by local fisherman to tow the animal to the safety of deeper water.

An initial examination revealed that the whale, a newborn female, suffered several broken bones.