Trending footage has emerged of a dolphin circling three times in front of a speed boat after a group of rescuers saved it from being stranded on a beach in China.
The animal was trapped on the sand before being rescued by local fishermen and police officers in the southern Chinese city Zhanjiang of Guangdong province.
The viral video captures the heartwarming moment of the bottlenose dolphin seemingly showing its appreciation to the rescuers by swimming in loops.
Trending footage has emerged of a dolphin circling three times in front of a speed boat after a group of rescuers saved it from being stranded on a beach in China. The picture shows the dolphin being rescued in the southern city Zhanjiang of Guangdong province on Sunday
The animal was trapped on the sand before being rescued by local fishermen and police officers in the southern Chinese city Zhanjiang of Guangdong province. The picture shows the mammal swimming around the rescue boat after being released back to the sea on Sunday
Local fishermen spotted the mammal struggling to move after it had been washed up on the beach on Sunday.
The stranded dolphin was near dying when officers were called on the scene, according to a statement from the county police.
The rescuers immediately built a shallow pond to keep the poor animal alive.
Local fishermen spotted the mammal stuck in the sand after it had been washed up on the beach on Sunday. The picture released by the county police shows the stranded dolphin
The stranded dolphin was near dying when officers were called on the scene, according to a statement from the county police. Officers are pictured trying to lift up the dolphin
Footage released by state media Xinhua shows the officers and fishermen scooping up the black dolphin with a large cloth to take it to the rescue boat. The rescuers then drove to the open sea to release the animal.
The dolphin is seen breaching the water and circling by the vessel, seemingly to express its gratitude, before heading off.
A man says in the video: ‘Oh it has come back again!’
Another rescuer shouts: ‘Go on, quick.’
The officers and fishermen can be heard saying goodbyes to the dolphin as the animal finally turns around and swims away.
The rescuers then drove to the open sea to release the animal. The picture shows the dolphin circling around the vessel, seemingly showing its gratitude to the rescuers before leaving
The mission to free the dolphin (pictured) on Sunday took over an hour, according to Chinese media. The animal was said to be 1.7 metres (5.6 feet) long and weigh 40 kilos (88 pounds)
The mission to free the dolphin took over an hour, according to Chinese media. The animal was said to be 1.7 metres (5.6 feet) long and weigh 40 kilos (88 pounds).
Thousands of Chinese social media users were touched by the incredible scene.
One commenter wrote: ‘This is amazing. All lives have a soul and know to be grateful.’
Another one said: ‘How lovely! We should treat all animals with care like this.’
