A dolphin exhausted from fighting off strong waves that pushed it onto the shallows of a beach was rescued.

The 3.3ft marine animal made weak noises when it was found by locals Sanan Thamsuan and his neighbour Leelawadee Rakdee in Krabi, Thailand on September 12.

Footage shows kind residents carrying the animal back into the depths before it tried to swim away. However, the water was too choppy and the animal was pushed back to shore.

The locals reported the dolphin sighting to authorities and Thung Thale Non-Hunting Sanctuary staff Saner Suksai arrived to help.

Saner said: ‘We believe that the dolphin was separated from its pod while feeding near the coast.

‘Strong waves likely swept it into shore and it was unable to swim back before it was low-tide.'

Dolphins can become beached or stranded when they end up on the shore or shallow waters and are unable to return to deeper water. Beaching is dangerous for dolphins because they can become dehydrated, and their organs can be crushed under their weight without water to support them.