Progress of marine species stranding rescue project at Phuket Marine Biological Center

Abstract

Establishment of the marine species stranding rescue project was one of the strategies of the Marine Endangered Species Unit, Phuket Marine Biological Center to conserve these threatened species. It is an annual project and was launched in January, 2005 and continued until the present time (November, 2006). The project rescued and rehabilitated 54 stranded animals, 40 animals were successfully rehabilitated and were released back to the area where they were found, while 12 animals died during rehabilitation. There were 2 animals that could not be released due to swimming disorders resulting from injuries. Also, there were 76 dead strandings that occurred during the period. Post mortem examinations of these cases were a good resource for much valuable information about their biology. This project is considered to be a successful operation and will likely be continued as a long term project.