A wild bottlenose dolphin sparked concern among residents when it swam into a canal away from its natural habitat.

The aquatic mammal was seen swimming in the green waters of the canal under the Koh Sire Bridge in Phuket, Thailand, on June 15.

Marine workers, navy officials, and coastal resources staff inspected the area and found the 3ft dolphin zipping near the community.

They believe it may have swam from the Khlong Tha Chin tidal creek before it was spotted by the locals.

Residents and authorities were worried the dolphin might be hurt because the canal is plied by fishermen on long-tail boats. The stream's brackish water might also be unsuitable for the animal, they said.

Officials were monitoring the dolphin's condition as they awaited a rescue team to guide it back to open waters.