In a heartwarming victory for marine conservation, a short-finned pilot whale named Haitang – rescued after a life-threatening stranding in south China’s Hainan Province – has been successfully returned to the wild! 🌟 The whale, nursed back to health over 140 days, swam free Sunday in deep waters off Sanya City, marking a rare triumph for wildlife experts.
Found by tourists on January 3 in Haitang District, the male whale was initially in critical condition with injuries and unable to swim. 🚨 ‘Rescuing stranded whales this big is like defying gravity,’ said veterinarian Xiong Chunlin, highlighting the challenges of rehabilitating large marine mammals. But thanks to round-the-clock care from the Blue Ribbon Ocean Conservation Association and volunteers, Haitang gained strength, grew nearly half a meter, and even relearned how to hunt! 🐟
The release site, 70 nautical miles offshore, was strategically chosen to boost Haitang’s chances of reuniting with his species. 🗺️ ‘We’re optimistic he’ll thrive,’ said the association’s Pu Bingmei. Talk about a whale of a comeback! 💙
