A dead sperm whale being hauled ashore at a port in Rudong county in China's eastern province of Jiangsu yesterday. The 16m-long, 25-tonne mammal was found beached in the area on Sunday by local fishermen. It was already dead. Another dead sperm whale was spotted in nearby waters on Monday and will be recovered by the authorities when tide conditions are favourable. According to Chinese media reports, records of sperm whales found beached in Rudong's waters go back to as early as the 18th century. Experts say the carcasses will likely end up as specimens, or be processed for their oil.