Aged sperm whale dies on Fujian shore

A sperm whale has been found washed up on a shore in east China's Fujian province. The whale was one of an endangered species under state protection.

At an unusual weight of 20 tons, the aged whale was over 16 meters long and 8 meters wide. Its head was found buried in the sand, with most of its teeth missing from its open mouth.

Fishermen believe the sperm whale was not strong enough to swim against the evening tide, and so was swept to the beach before it died.