Kind residents saved a wounded pilot whale found stranded on a beach.

Locals noticed the large 10ft-long mammal's fins floating up the shallow water's surface in Negros Oriental province, the Philippines on January 21.

They then rushed to check on the animal who turned to have several long wounds on its back before helping push it back to the depths.

Villager Rafael Jhon Deposoy said: 'At first, we thought it was a shark so some of us hesitated to come near but after a few glances we realised that it was a whale and a lot were willing to help.'

With the help of residents, the creature was able to return and swim back to the deeper part of the sea. The incident was also reported to local officials but the cause of its injuries are still unknown.

Pilot whales are some of the largest of the species. Only orcas are bigger.

They are hunted for their meat which is eaten by people in some parts of Japan.