A dolphin, which was rescued by fishermen after beaching itself on June 25, is to stay in an aquarium in Xiamen city, Fujian province, east China.

It is the first beached dolphin to be saved on the Chinese mainland, sources said.

The male dolphin, whose age is estimated at between five and eight, is recovering from injuries.

Some experts believe that it is better to settle the dolphin in an aquarium than send it back to sea.

"There are varied reasons for a dolphin to be washed ashore, and they cannot be sent back to sea without consideration," said Huang Zongguo, a research fellow with the No.3 Institute under the State Oceanic Administration.

Some stranded dolphins might be washed ashore again, and die without timely aid, the expert said.

Li Shaojing, a professor with Xiamen University's Oceanic Department said that there was sufficient experience and knowledge at the aquarium to domesticate the dolphin.

The domestication and reproduction of the dolphin, Li noted, would provide experience for the protection of the white-flag dolphin, or the Chinese river dolphin, which is an endangered species.

Dolphin experts said it would take some days for the dolphin to recover, but it had a good appetite and was eating seven kilograms of live fish a day.

The aquarium is inviting the public to name the dolphin and find him a "bride."

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2002)