A rare Blainville's beaked whale that washed ashore on a beach was rescued by hero residents in Thailand.

The 13ft female marine creature weighing around 1,100lbs was found by locals who initially mistook it for a stranded dolphin at the Pak Bang Sa Kom beach in southern Songkhla province on December 2.

Staff from the Khao Pa Chang - Laem Kham Non-Hunting Area tried to push the whale back into the sea, but it kept swimming back to shore due to its injuries.

Natthapong Onthong, chief of the Khao Pa Chang-Laem Kham non-hunting area, said a veterinarian was at the scene to tend to the animal's wounds. Villagers used stretchers to support the whale as it floated near the shore.

Natthapong said its condition was improving, and it would be released back into the sea once it was strong enough.

Blainville's beaked whale, scientifically known as Mesoplodon densirostris, is a species of toothed whale characterised by its distinctive, long beak and a bulging forehead. These deep-sea dwellers are elusive and are often found in tropical and temperate waters, with a preference for deeper oceanic environments.