TAIWAN-WALE

A crane lifts a 45-ton dead perfume whale in Tainan, southern Taiwan, 26 January 2004. The 17-meter whale exploded, spewing blubber and blood over cars, shops and shoppers alike. An excessive buildup of accumulation gasses due to the natural decomposing process, explained National Cheng Kung University marine biologist Professor Wang Chien-ping. The beached whale was found along a stretch on the coast of Yunlin County on January 24. AFP PHOTO - TAIWAN OUT - HONG KONG OUT