A dolphin that was washed ashore by high tides onto a beach in eastern India's Bay of Bengal was rescued by local men.

Three men found the dolphin stranded at Beleswar beach in the state of Odisha and tried to put it back into the sea.

But the mammal, which was slightly injured, kept returning back to the shore due to the high tides.

Subhendu Mallik, Honorary Wildlife Warden of Khordha, who came to know about the incident told the men to persist in sending it back to the sea.

He also informed the local forest officials, who rushed to the spot. But by the time they arrived the two men had successfully sent the dolphin home.

Mallik said: "The youth never mishandled the dolphin for selfies or photographs, like what happened in Spain last year. They were focused on the rescue and managed to pull it off.”

The officials have deployed a man to keep watch in case the mammal returns.

A dolphin, which was washed ashore by high tides, at Beleswar beach in Odisha, India, was rescued by local men.

Three men found the dolphin stranded and tried to put it back into the sea.

But the mammal, which was slightly injured, kept returning back to the shore due to the high tides.

Subhendu Mallik, Honorary Wildlife Warden of Khordha, who came to know about the incident told the men to persist in sending it back to the sea.

He also informed the local forest officials, who rushed to the spot. But by the time they arrived the two men had successfully sent the dolphin home.

Mallik said: "The youth never mishandled the dolphin for selfies or photographs, like it happened in Spain last year. They were focused on the rescue and managed to pull it off.”

The officials have deployed a man to keep watch in case the mammal returns.