Successful 22-Hour Rescue and Release of a 19.5 M Beached Sperm Whale.

Abstract

Whales, dolphins, and porpoises are important flagship species and play a vital role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. However, stranded cetaceans are often doomed if left unattended. Furthermore, successful rescues of large cetaceans documented by comprehensive operational records remain exceptionally scarce worldwide. On 19 April 2022, a 19.5-meter-long sperm whale was stranded on a mudflat along the coast of Xiangshan County, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. A dramatic 22-hour rescue operation ultimately saved the whale and enabled it to return to the sea. Beyond the whale's individual resilience and its putative emergency energy-conserving survival strategy, the rescue effort-characterized by relentless dedication, perseverance, and the involvement of 12 rescue and law-enforcement vessels and more than 200 rescuers-also contributed significantly to the successful outcome. This rescue raises awareness of the threat's marine mammals face, including pollution, climate change, and habitat disruption. It sends a powerful message: marine conservation is achievable when there is sufficient will to act, and rescuing large cetaceans that become stranded is entirely feasible.