A dolphin separated from its pod that became stranded on a shallow beach was rescued.

The marine animal was first spotted by locals collecting clams from the shore at ThungThale Beach, a protected area on Koh Lanta Island, Krabi, Thailand on September 13.

Footage shows a good Samaritan carrying the 3.3ft (1 metre) animal back into the water. He walked 164ft (50 metres) from where they saw the dolphin before they could put it in the water where it slowly regained strength.

However, despite attempts to push it back into the depths, the waves were too strong, pushing the exhausted animal back.

Thung Thale Non-Hunting Area officer Saner Suksai said: ‘We were informed and went there to help return the dolphin into the sea. It swam back into the water safely.'

He added the strong waves likely pushed it away from its group and was beached.

The officer said: ‘It was unable to swim back, and when the tide was low, it was stranded in the sand.'