(Photo: Guancha.cn）

Guangdong authorities announced Tuesday they have apprehended the man who made off with a whale calf carcass from a beach in Yangjiang. Local authorities said the thief shall be punished according to the law, Guangdong Daily reported.

Officials from the Academy of Fishery Sciences issued a report last week confirming carcass was that of a newborn false killer whale, a protected marine species in China.

A video clip went viral on Chinese social media depicting a male tourist taking what appeared to be a dying dolphin-like mammal from Wanda beach during the Labor Day holiday.

An investigation was launched after Yangjiang authorities became aware of the alleged incident and soon apprehended the suspect.

The man confessed to wrongful possession of a marine carcass and is now prepared to accept the legal consequences.

Fishery authorities reminded locals and visitors if they discover any kind of wild species, they must notify authorities.

“It is against the law to hunt or sell wild animals, dead or alive. Whomever makes such a discovery is obligated to report it to relevant authorities for processing and should not keep it for themselves under any circumstances,” fishery authorities said.