A giant sperm whale died after becoming stranded on a southeastern China beach on Tuesday. It was found beached near Songxia Port in Changle City in Fujian Province.

The body of the giant sperm whale lies on a beach near Songxia Port in Changle City, southeastern China's Fujian Province on January 15, 2008.

The whale measured 16 meters in length, 8.6 meters in diameter and weighed 20 tons.

It was dead when local fishery officials arrived at the site led by local fishers.

No visible exterior damage was found on the mammal and the reason for its death was still unclear, Fujian fishery officials said.

Plans call for it's carcass to be preserved for research and display.

Sperm whales are a protected species in China.

The body of the giant sperm whale lies on a beach near Songxia Port in Changle City, southeastern China's Fujian Province on January 15, 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2008)