A resident rescues a stranded whale from a shoal near the port of Toumen in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, on Tuesday. Photo: VCG

A stranded whale lies on the ground in Taizhou on Tuesday. Three of the 12 whales stranded on the shoal died. Photo: VCG

Residents place a rescued whale under a temporary sunshade on the shoal on Tuesday. Photo: VCG

Rescue personnel and residents splash water on a whale to keep it cool on the shoal on Tuesday. Photo: VCG

People carry a stranded whale out of the water on Tuesday. Photo: VCG

A stranded whale is being lifted by a crane at the port on Tuesday. Photo: VCG

A resident tries to catch a lifted whale at the port on Tuesday. Photo: VCG

A breeder takes care of two rescued whales at Taizhou Ocean World in Taizhou on Tuesday. Photo: VCG