A pod of false killer whales caused a stir near Phuket last Friday when around 20 of the animals beached on Koh Racha Yai.

In the incident that occurred 25 km south of Phuket, the pod apparently got disorientated while navigating a narrow channel near Ao Paktok. Witnesses reported up to 40 of the large dolphins in the shallow waters.

As social animals, the group follows the leader, often blindly. If the leader got disorientated by the strong waves and currents, and caused it to beach, the rest would follow suit.

Twenty of the dolphins washed ashore and half were helped back into deeper waters by resort staff and tourists. One of the animals, a 2.8m female, went into shock while in the shallow waters and couldn’t be saved.

The Phuket Marine Biological Center had an autopsy scheduled for Saturday as the animal had no visible signs of illness.

The remaining dolphins were taken by truck to Ao Teua on the other side of the island, where they were successfully released in the calmer waters. Following their release, the pods reportedly gained strength and haven’t been spotted near the shore since.

False killer whales are large dolphins that mostly keep to open ocean. They are known to attack other cetaceans with their trademark 44 teeth, hence sometimes mistaken as being killer whales. False killer whales can live up to 50 years and currently their population is considered healthy. They are regularly sighted off the coast of Thailand.

Although beachings are uncommon, the large pod of false killer whales are testament to the rich diversity of large animals and marine life to be discovered whilst in the waters and diving in Phuket and Thailand.