A baby dolphin that was separated from its mother during a storm swam into a village where children played with it.

The friendly juvenile was seen in a coastal river leading into the sea in their village in Cebu City, the Philippines on October 27.


Youngsters noticed the lost spinner dolphin and began playing in the water, splashing the dolphin until several adults came to help.

Katrina Guerrero, who lives in the village, said it was the first time that a dolphin had swam into the area.

She said: "My neighbours gathered under the bridge by the river so I went closer to have a look then I saw the cute dolphin playing with the boys. It wasn't harmed and it actually seemed to enjoy playing with them.''

Local wildlife officials arrived at the area with marine centre staff to take the baby dolphin into their facility to rehabilitate.

Provincial Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director Allan Poquita said the dolphin may have been disoriented by the recent typhoons and storms that have battered the Philippines. At the time the dolphin was found, typhoon Saudel had recently exited the country after causing floods and damage with heavy rain.

He said: "The strong waves brought by the typhoon may have disoriented the dolphin until it was separated from its family."

Veterinarians at the marine centre will evaluate its health and take care of the baby dolphin until it is old enough to be released into the ocean.

After mating, the pregnant spinner dolphin gestates for up to 11 months until giving birth to a single calf which is about two and a half feet long. Calves nurse in their mothers for one to two years.