3 dead whales frozen, 9 survive

Three melon-headed whales that were found dead on Tuesday morning after they were stranded in shallow water, have been frozen and may be used for scientific research, the information office of the Linhai Committee of the Communist Party of China said.

The carcasses are being held temporarily by a frozen seafood company.

A group of 12 melon-headed whales, a Level II protected species in China, were stranded in the shallow water of a shoal in Linhai county of Taizhou, Zhejiang province, on Tuesday morning. Local authorities mobilized more than 500 rescuers and fishermen to help them.

The three whales died, but nine others survived.

By 9 pm on July 6, two whales in good health, were released into the sea at a place with a water depth of more than 15 meters.

Of the other seven survivors, two are being kept temporarily at Taizhou Ocean World, and five were transported to a fish farm in Taizhou.

Experts are reportedly waiting for medical reports to discuss follow-up treatment plans.