Efforts to rescue and treat 'Anmoki,' an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin that has been living alone off the coast of Anmok Port in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, will begin soon.

According to reports gathered by Yonhap News on July 3, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has decided to launch a rescue operation this month. The decision comes as the dolphin's increasing tendency to approach humans and the visible wounds on its body have led authorities to conclude that it can no longer be left in the wild.

Anmoki was first spotted off the coast of Anmok Port last summer. It became a topic of interest on social media, which is how it received its current name.

In South Korea, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins typically inhabit the waters off Jeju Island in pods. The appearance of a solitary dolphin off the coast of Gangneung is considered an unusual phenomenon.

It is presumed that Anmoki left its pod for unknown reasons and traveled to these waters.

Globally, cases of dolphins becoming separated from their pods are occasionally observed.

When dolphins, which possess strong social instincts, live in isolation, they sometimes exhibit friendly behavior toward humans. Anmoki is no exception.

Anmoki is known to display behavior suggesting a desire to interact with people, such as following boats off the coast of Gangneung like a puppy.

The problem is that as the dolphin approaches humans, it may face unexpected dangers. People might throw inappropriate items for the dolphin to eat, or it could be harassed or attacked.

Parts of Anmoki's skin have been observed to be peeling off. It is believed these wounds were caused by contact with sharp objects, such as boat propellers, while the dolphin followed vessels.

As Anmoki's condition worsened, public concern grew, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries decided to proceed with the rescue and treatment after careful consideration.

While it would be ideal for Anmoki to find its own way in the wild, the ministry determined that artificial intervention is inevitable, given the dolphin's increasingly human-friendly behavior and the potential for its health to deteriorate further.

The first task is to capture Anmoki safely.

The ministry is planning to take advantage of the dolphin's tendency to follow boats by luring it into a net using a vessel.

The plan involves deploying a Korea Coast Guard vessel to have Anmoki follow it repeatedly over a certain period to get it accustomed to the process, and then setting a net to guide the dolphin into it at an appropriate time.

Once captured, the operation will move to safely transporting Anmoki to Ulsan, where treatment facilities are located.

The use of a large water tank for the transport is currently under review.

This process is not easy, as Anmoki could experience extreme stress.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is discussing ways to keep Anmoki calm during the transport with experts.

If Anmoki is successfully moved to Ulsan and receives treatment, the ministry is expected to consider releasing it back into the waters off Jeju, the natural habitat for Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins.

This stage also presents complex challenges.

If it is determined that Anmoki, having left its pod and become accustomed to human protection, cannot adapt to life in the wild, a period of training may be necessary to prepare it for a return to nature.

An official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, "We are working with experts on-site to finalize a concrete plan to safely rescue and treat Anmoki."

(Photo: Yonhap News)