Songxia, China, January 15, 2008—A sperm whale lies dead in Fujian Province in southeastern China.

The 52-foot (16-meter) whale was found stranded on the shore. Local fishers believe the animal had been carried here by currents after swimming through the strong evening tide.

Sperm whales are officially considered a protected species in China and are listed as vulnerable by the World Conservation Union.

Researchers on the scene said they planned to use the whale's carcass for research, according to the Chinese government's Xinhua news agency.

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