An injured striped dolphin was rescued when it washed ashore on a beach in Thailand.

The weakened marine animal was surrounded by stray dogs when it was lying on the sand outside the Aquella Golf & Country Club in Phang Nga province on August 22.

The incessant barking alerted concerned residents, who managed to usher the creature back into the water, but the dolphin was beached again an hour later.

Fearing the dolphin might die without urgent care, they called the Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park staff for assistance.

Officers arrived and found the male dolphin with injuries on its dorsal fin and along its side. It measured 206cm long and weighed 54kg.

Authorities said the animal showed signs of fatigue and rapid breathing, with a heart rate of 130 beats per minute and a respiratory rate of 27 times per minute.

The dolphin was transported to the Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Research and Development facility for initial care, where it was put into a giant swimming pool.

Staff are now planning to relocate the dolphin to the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center (Upper Andaman Sea) in Phuket for further rehabilitation.

The head of the Khao Lampi-Had Thai Mueang National Park said: 'The veterinarian has confirmed that the dolphin's breathing rate has improved, its condition is still stable and it now waiting for blood.

'Medication and treatment has been provided according to the symptoms. We will have to consult specialist doctors further on what to do next.

'When the dolphin recovers, it will be released into open sea channels.'

Striped dolphins are one of the most sociable, vocal and fastest dolphins, capable of swimming at speeds of up to 40 knots (46 mph).

However, they are classed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to the threats of pollution, habitat loss, and bycatch from fishing vessels.