An injured dolphin found off the eastern coast of Thailand drowning in a rock pool is starting to show signs of improvement after being rescued, volunteers say.
A young Irrawaddy dolphin - that has been named Paradon, which roughly translates to 'brotherly burden' - was found stranded by fishermen.
Identifiable by their characteristic short beak, bulging forehead and dark grey colour, these dolphins are typically found in the shallow coastal waters of south and Southeast Asia, and three rivers in Myanmar, Cambodia and Indonesia.
However, most recently they are being threatened by pollution and illegal fishing and as a result they are now considered a vulnerable species.
After finding baby Paradon abandoned on the shore on July 23, he was immediately taken to the vets.
Found to be suffering from an infection and so weak he could not swim, he was given first hand medical treatment.
Kind volunteers cared for him around the clock - taking turns to hold him in the pool filled with seawater so he wouldn't drown.
Paradon now requires full-time care, and is being treated by a dozen vets and volunteers at the Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Centre in Rayong, Thailand.
Speaking about the aquatic mammal's care, one vet said: "Normally, dolphins found stranded on the shore are usually in such a terrible condition.
"The chance that these dolphins would survive are normally very, very slim. But we gave our best to him on that day."
Giving an update on Paradon, vets have said that while he remains weak and is still in critical condition, he is able to swim.
Despite being fed by the team every 20 minutes, he is reportedly not drinking enough milk.
While the director of the centre, Sumana Kajonwattanakul, has said the baby will need longer-term care, volunteers have admitted they do not mind as they have grown attached to the little calf.
Sumana said it could take up to a year to wean the little one off milk and teach him how to hunt for his own food.
She added: "If we release him once he gets a better, the problem is he won't be able to have milk.
"We will have to take care of him until he has his teeth, then we must train him to eat fish, and be part of a pod. This will take quite some time."
The care team also hope that by caring for Paradon, this will enable them to learn more about his species' and their recovery process.
One volunteer said: "If we can save him and he survives, we will learn so much from this.
"Secondly, I think by saving him, giving him a chance to live, we also raise awareness about the conservation of this animal as they are rare and not many of them left."
Only around 400 Irrawaddy dolphin left on the eastern coast of Thailand officials at the centre believe.
