DADU: A rare Indus Blind Dolphin strayed into Mirwah Canal near Faiz Ganj in Khairpur district on Sunday but was rescued by villagers and officials of Wildlife Department and released into its habitat from Sukkur Barrage.

When the dolphin was spotted by some villagers, a large number of people gathered at the canal bank to catch the marine animal and some even tried to harm it but they were stopped by local police, who inter-vened quickly and controlled the situation.

The villagers, who were concerned for the dolphin`s safety, managed to capture it safely and move it to a secure location till the Wildlife Department officials arrived from Sukkur. The wildlife team led by its incharge, Akhtar Talpur, carefully removed a net-like piece of cloth stuck in the dolphin`s mouth.

Mr Talpur said the dolphin would be released into the river from Sukkur Barrage, where it could be safely live alongside other dolphins. The environment at the barrage would be more suitable for the dolphin`s wellbeing, he said.