These pictures shows a two-tonne whale shark being driven through a town in China strapped to a fisherman's truck. It is a wonder Cai Chengzhu can see where he is going as the giant 4.5m creature's tail blocks his view of the road, and its head hangs off the back. No doubt surprised by his mega catch, the fishing captain tied the fish down with a sturdy rope and headed for market – apparently unaware it was an endangered and protected animal. Not believing what they were seeing, amused bystanders in Yangzhi county, Fujian province, took photos of the incredible sight and posted them on Sina Weibo, the closest Chinese equivalent to Twitter.

A fisherman transports a dead whale shark after it was caught in fishermen's net, in Yangzhi county, Fujian province August 1, 2014. According to local media, the whale shark is five-metre-long and weighs over 2 tonnes. (Photo by Reuters/Stringer)

Chinese fisherman Cai Chengzhu, 48, took centre stage at the fish market in the city of Shishi in south China's Fujian province after he turned up with this two ton whale shark. (Photo by EuroPics)

Chinese fisherman Cai Chengzhu, 48, took centre stage at the fish market in the city of Shishi in south China's Fujian province after he turned up with this two ton whale shark. (Photo by EuroPics)

Chinese fisherman Cai Chengzhu, 48, took centre stage at the fish market in the city of Shishi in south China's Fujian province after he turned up with this two ton whale shark. (Photo by EuroPics)

Chinese fisherman Cai Chengzhu, 48, took centre stage at the fish market in the city of Shishi in south China's Fujian province after he turned up with this two ton whale shark. (Photo by EuroPics)

Chinese fisherman Cai Chengzhu, 48, took centre stage at the fish market in the city of Shishi in south China's Fujian province after he turned up with this two ton whale shark. (Photo by EuroPics)