A tour guide in east China's Zhejiang Province recently shot a video clip about a pod of dolphins playing in waters off Shengsi Islands in the coastal city of Zhoushan.

"This was my first time seeing so many dolphins together here over the past 33 years," said Weng Yaoyuan, who has been working as a tour guide in the area for 12 years.

Staff with Shengsi Liujingtan scenic area said it is rare to see such a big group, although dolphins had been sighted there in the past.

Officials with the marine administration of Shengsi County said dolphins have been seen more frequently in recent years in the county, which reflects the improvement of the environment in the area. The county has been working to increase the fish resources and clean garbage in nearby sea waters.

Wang Zhongming, a researcher with Zhejiang Marine Fisheries Research Institute, said dolphins usually appear in groups. The sea area of Shengsi has rich food resources and the reefs can make good hiding places for the animal which are now at the breeding stage.

(Cover: Dancing dolphins. /VCG Photo)