The challenges and triumphs of rescuing stranded whales

HAIKOU — "A whale is stranded in the shallows and in critical condition!" This distress call had barely come through when Li Haiqin, 49, grabbed his life jacket and first-aid kit and rushed to the scene.

It may have been just another day for the head of a cetacean rescue team in Sanya, South China's Hainan province, but this mission exemplified his 14-year commitment to saving stranded whales and dolphins.

After founding the rescue team in 2012, Li has participated in more than 40 whale and dolphin rescue operations. In his eyes, every lost whale or dolphin deserves every possible effort to help it find its way back home.

With the skill of an experienced rescuer, he coordinates on-site rescue operations in an orderly fashion, directing fellow rescuers to use wet towels to prevent whales or dolphins from drying out. At the same time, he gently comforts the animals and spares no effort in their recovery.

A rough-toothed dolphin named "Yangyang" was found stranded in the shallow waters of Yalong Bay, Sanya, on April 24, 2025.

Lying on its side and showing signs of extreme weakness, the dolphin had its blowhole blocked by mud and sand at the time of discovery.

Upon receiving the alert, Li rushed to the scene and coordinated rescue efforts with the coastal police and local fishermen. Thanks to their joint efforts, "Yangyang" was successfully returned to the sea.

In Li's view, there is no easy path to saving a life. Every successful rescue is earned through perseverance, hard work and an unyielding commitment that never wavers.

On Jan 3, 2024, a short-finned pilot whale named "Haitang" was found stranded in Haitang Bay in Sanya, with severe shark-inflicted wounds and in critical condition.

Li promptly organized a team to transfer the animal to a shore-based rescue site, where treatment was provided with assistance from scientific experts, coast guard personnel and firefighters. Following 145 days of treatment and monitoring, "Haitang" recovered and was returned to nature.

Cetaceans, as flagship species of marine ecosystems, serve as a critical barometer of ocean health. Stranding-related deaths, caused by disease or disorientation, have become an intractable problem worldwide.

In China, more than 100 such incidents occur each year, and rescue efforts are often met with daunting challenges.

Over the years, Li has endured countless cuts and bruises of all sizes while navigating tidal flats and submerged reefs. Some of his wounds festered for as long as two months.

Li now envisions a conservation approach that goes beyond emergency response, evolving into an integrated model encompassing rescue operations, public science education and skills training.

"Rescuing stranded whales and dolphins is extremely challenging, and the success rate remains low. But as long as there is even a glimmer of hope, we will never give up," the rescuer says.