A dead green turtle was found stranded on the shoreline in Pingtan county, Fujian province on Sept 17.

The 67-kg creature, which is classified under the class II wildlife protection in China, was first spotted in shallow water by locals at Nanpan village, Baiqing town, in the morning.

The villagers dragged it onshore and reported the case to local authorities.

Experts, after preliminary examination, estimated that the turtle was in its 40s. The species in general can survive for more than 100 years.

The cause of the turtle’s death is under investigation.

A sea turtle is found dead on the beach in Pingtan, Sept 17. [Photo/pingtan.gov.cn]