(ECNS) -- A dozen whales were found running aground on the tidal flat in Linhai, Taizhou on Tuesday.
A joint rescue was carried out by several local departments and the creatures were identified as melon-headed whales.
All the whales had been removed from the tidal flat as of 6 p.m.
Two of them in good health were released back to the open sea at 9 p.m.
Three of them unfortunately died and were cryopreserved for possible scientific research.
