Rescued whale released back into the sea

Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.

In the nation's first instance, a short-finned pilot whale was released into its natural habitat, thanks to the dedicated efforts of more than 200 people who joined hands to save the stranded creature.

The whale has spent 145 days in an oceanic park before it was released into the ocean where it belongs.

It all began on Jan 3, when the whale was spotted stranded on the sandy shores of Haitang Bay in Sanya, Hainan province, sustaining unclear injuries. Marine police, conservationists and volunteers rushed to the scene, and managed to send the whale to the Sanya Haichang Animal Conservation Center.

They named it Haitang, after the Haitang Bay where it was found. Haitang, meaning the plant begonia, also coincides with the popular animated movie Big Fish and Begonia.

Initially, Haitang faced the risk of flipping over and drowning, due to lung infection. Some 100 volunteers took shifts to hold the whale all day long so that it wouldn't suddenly flip over.

As it gradually recovered, the conservation center moved it to an outdoor pool for a larger space later that month. Months later, its body length and chest circumference both increased by some 10 centimeters, by consuming some 12 kilograms of squid and 2 kg of herring every day.

In early May, experts believed that Haitang was ready to return to Mother Nature. On May 25, the Liyang 258 science research ship took it to a designated area. In the early morning of the following day, Haitang was released back into the ocean.

In a follow-up monitoring some 40 days later, using trackers and beacons placed on Haitang before its release, scientists found that it had dived to some 300 to 500 meters below the surface — the favored depth for it to feed.

Despite being unable to see it once again, scientists believed that it had found its group and living in the area healthily.

Short-finned pilot whales are nationally second-class protected wild animals in China.