At noon on July 28, Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Head of Tan Hy village, Van Tuong commune (Quang Ngai province), confirmed that a dolphin weighing about 300kg and about 2.6m long drifted into the Tra Bong river embankment, near Binh Dong fishing port (old), now belonging to Van Tuong commune.
According to initial information, at about 11:45 am on the same day, people discovered a dolphin drifting to the water's edge east of the Tra Bong river embankment, about 1km south of the Tra Bong bridge (old).
At the time of discovery, the fish was still alive, so many people joined forces to take it to a deep water area with the hope that the fish could swim back to the sea on their own. However, due to exhaustion, the fish continuously drifted ashore. Many scratches appeared on the fish's body.
Realizing that the fish no longer had the ability to swim out to deep water to survive, people brought the fish ashore for care, and at the same time prepared procedures according to the traditional beliefs of coastal residents.
In the cultural life of Quang Ngai fishermen, dolphins are revered with the name "ca Ong", which is a symbol of protection and support for fishermen to overcome big waves and strong winds. Therefore, when ca Ong drifts ashore or dies, fishermen often organize burials according to traditional customs, expressing gratitude and respect for the animal considered sacred.
