Huang Zongguo, a research fellow with the No.3 Institute under the State Oceanic Administration, said it is the first time experts have successfully saved a beached dolphin on China's mainland.

He said the bleeding dolphin, which is between 5 and 8 years old, was found stranded on a beach in Zhangpu County in Fujian Province, east China, by fishermen on June 25. It was then moved to a makeshift shallow pool.

A college student specializing in marine life, who happened to be at the beach, gave first aid to the animal and reported the finding to local fishery authorities. Experts say the dolphin seemed to be crying when the student treated its cuts and cradled it in the water. It had several wounds and was in a bad way swimming slowly and with great effort.

The rescue operation and medical treatment began on the same day but was not made public until Wednesday as experts believed a quiet, undisturbed environment was important for the injured dolphin's recovery, said Huang.

The dolphin was moved to an aquarium in Xiamen the day after it was found for ongoing treatment at the aquarium.

During the week, Zhao Qingzhong, a dolphin expert from the Chinese Academy of Sciences was invited to join in consultations with specialists at the aquarium.

The dolphin was given vitamin supplements and medication after its condition was assessed.

It began to eat on June 27, and can now consume seven kilograms of live fish a day.

Experts say the dolphin will take a few more days to recover fully.

(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2002)