Fishermen haul in a five-ton whale shark that was caught off the coast of Dongtou county, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province on March 26. According to the fisherman who claimed the catch, surnamed Zeng, the massive fish died shortly after being hauled ashore and was sold quickly. Zeng refused to disclose the buyer or the price. Photo: zjol.com.cn

Though exact numbers are unknown, the whale shark is considered venerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Local fishing authorities have carried out an investigation into the case. According to China's wildlife protection law, the catching and sale of whale sharks is a punishable offense. Photo: zjol.com.cn

Photo: zjol.com.cn