Fishermen and police save stranded dolphins at a beach in south-eastern China after they were washed ashore amid a violent typhoon.
A heartwarming video showcasing the joint efforts of fishermen and police rescuing two stranded dolphins at Yashan Beach in Zhangzhou, Fujian, on 6th September has garnered immense praise from netizens on social media.
The pair of dolphins measuring around one metre (three feet) in length, with black backs and white bellies, found themselves stranded on the beach.
The dolphins, affected by severe weather conditions caused by Typhoon Haikui, were repeatedly washed ashore.
According to Mr Chen, the video’s creator, the dolphins were stranded twice.
The first time was around noon when the fishermen discovered them and made an initial attempt to push them back into the water.
However, due to bad weather conditions, the dolphins were swept back to the shore after an hour.
Recognising the urgency, the fishermen contacted the police, and with the assistance of three officers, they made a second rescue mission.
Local fishermen and police joined forces in a rescue operation that lasted over four hours, finally ensuring the dolphins’ safe return to the ocean.
In the video captured by Mr Chen, the dolphins can be seen struggling in the shallow water as the waves crash onto the beach.
Several fishermen then gather around the dolphins, bending over and using their hands to push the mammals back into the sea.
Gradually, the dolphins regain their ability to swim and their triangular fins rise and fall with the ocean’s rhythm.
Chen said: “I’ve never seen dolphins in our area before.
“Both dolphins are in good condition, one of them has a bit of scratched skin, but no bleeding.”
Typhoon Haikui made landfall in southern China early on 5th September.
The storm interrupted schools, roads and communication lines.
More than 36,000 people were evacuated from their homes as remnants of the typhoon caused nearly 10,360 acres of farmland to be flooded, causing losses estimated at about CNY 552 million (GBP 60 million).
The typhoon later lost strength and got downgraded to a tropical storm.
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Story By: Basant Essam, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Asia Wire Report
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