Xiangshan, Zhejiang: Stranded Sperm Whale Returns to Sea

Recently, after a 20-hour rescue relay, under the traction and escort of a fishery administration vessel, a sperm whale stranded in the waters of Xiangshan County, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province successfully arrived at its destination in the sea. The vessel cut off the leash and successfully released the whale back into the sea.

The sperm whale returned to the sea (Photo via Xiangshan County Media Center, Ningbo City)

The stranded sperm whale is about 20 meters long and weighs about 70 tons. It was stuck in the mudflat due to the falling tide on the morning of April 19. Some of its skin had been shed due to the lack of moisture. The whale is visibly scarred and short of breath, with its tail, in particular, heavily scarred.

Rescuers splashed water onto the whale to keep its skin moist. (Photo via Xiangshan County Media Center, Ningbo City)

Wang Zhiyuan, a veterinary expert at Ningbo Ocean World, commented: "In the sea, the buoyancy of water can evenly "relieve" part of the whale's body weight. After being stranded, however, its body will press on its internal organs due to the loss of buoyancy. A long time of pressure can lead to the creature's death." The rescuers examined the whale's body, took samples and applied liquid medicine to the whale while splashing water onto it to keep its skin moist. In the end, they attached a buoy to the whale and sent the creature back to the sea with the tides.