Sea tragedy: Dead dolphin found near Phuket sparks investigation
Locals were left shocked after a dead dolphin was discovered floating just off Koh Sirey, east of Phuket Town, late last night prompting marine biologists to launch an urgent investigation into the cause of death.
At around 11pm, yesterday, April 2, rescue workers from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation were alerted to the scene near Haad Silaphan by residents who spotted the small dolphin carcass drifting in the sea close to a nearby hotel. Responding quickly, rescue teams located the lifeless creature floating on the surface.
With the assistance of local volunteers, the dolphin was carefully retrieved using a rope and brought ashore.
According to the foundation, no visible injuries were found on the body, raising further questions about what led to its untimely death.
The dolphin’s remains were promptly transported to the Upper Andaman Sea Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center at Cape Panwa. There, marine experts from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) will conduct a thorough examination to determine the exact cause of death.
“So far, there are no clear indicators of trauma or entanglement, but we’ll know more once the necropsy is completed,” a DMCR source stated.
The department has not yet released any conclusions, though experts are considering multiple possibilities—including water pollution, disease, and ingestion of marine debris.
Phuket’s coastal waters are no stranger to marine life washing ashore, but each case offers a sobering reminder of the environmental pressures facing Thailand’s marine ecosystems.
The death of even a single dolphin, often considered a sentinel species, could signal deeper issues lurking beneath the surface.
Environmentalists urge the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings of injured or stranded marine animals. As development, tourism, and pollution continue to rise, concerns about the region’s fragile marine habitats are mounting, reported Phuket News.
The DMCR is expected to release findings in the coming days, which may offer insight into the condition of the Andaman Sea and the growing risks faced by its marine life. Until then, the mystery surrounding the dolphin’s death remains unsolved, but it has certainly sparked a wave of concern across the island.
Latest Thailand News
