The video will start in 8 Cancel

News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A holidaymaker who slung a dying dolphin over his shoulder and walked with it off a beach, is being hunted by police.

The man, who was wearing just a pair of black swimming trunks and had his mobile phone in one hand, carried the lifeless animal to his car before speeding off.

He was caught on mobile phone footage with the animal, with its distinctive fin and tail, draped across him as he marched away from the water and across the sand.

The dark-haired man appears to smile at the camera, before the footage cuts.

He is also followed on his route back to the car by a woman, dressed in black, but it is not known if she was with the man or part of the plan to take the dolphin.

(Image: AsiaWire) (Image: AsiaWire)

The clip was recorded at Hailing Island off the coast of Yangjiang City in southern China.

According to a local marine patrol volunteer, witnesses saw the beach-goer approaching the dolphin, whose species is yet to be identified, after it appeared to beach itself.

The man then approached the animal and carried it away.

The volunteer said: "Dolphins are a state-protected species.

"Even if it had died, he's still not allowed to take it himself."

He said: "Specimens are always supposed to be handed over to wildlife authorities."

The man drove off with the dolphin in his car, witnesses said.

Officials and local police had already been informed of the incident at the time of writing, with reports saying the authorities planned to find the man and fine him.