Eight-metre whale shark necropsied and buried after stranding in Jembrana

Jembrana, Bali — — A male whale shark around eight metres long was found stranded and later buried on Pengeragoan Beach in Jembrana, western Bali, on Saturday, 12 September 2026, after a joint team carried out a necropsy and removal operation, according to multiple local reports.

Residents first spotted the animal in shallow water off Pengeragoan in Pekutatan subdistrict on Saturday morning and alerted police and marine authorities.

Police then coordinated with the Marine and Air Police Unit, fisheries and conservation agencies, veterinarians and village officials to secure the site, examine the animal and organise its removal.

Several outlets, including Detik, Tribun Bali, SuaraBali and RRI, identified the species as a whale shark (Rhincodon typus) based on its physical characteristics and subsequent examination by specialists.

Local media reported that veterinarians working with Jaringan Satwa Indonesia (JSI) and other agencies carried out a necropsy to collect biological data and assess the animal’s condition before death.

Following the examination, the carcass was lifted with an excavator and buried on the beach near the discovery site to prevent odour, environmental impacts and crowding by onlookers, according to police statements cited in several reports.

Authorities’ account of the stranding

Detik Bali quoted AKP I Putu Suparta, head of the Water and Air Police Unit of Jembrana Police, as saying the stranded animal showed the typical body shape and spot pattern of a whale shark and was found in shallow coastal waters at Pengeragoan.

SuaraBali, Tribun Bali, RRI and other outlets reported that the shark was ultimately confirmed as a male whale shark, with measurements of approximately 8 metres in length, 3.5 metres in body width, 4.8 metres in body circumference and a mouth width of about 2.15 metres.

Pekutatan Police Chief Kompol Benyamin Nikijuluw told local media that a cross-agency team from Balai Besar Riset Budidaya Laut dan Penyuluhan Perikanan (BBRBLPP) Gondol, JSI Banyuwedang in Buleleng, the Marine Resources Management Unit (BPSPL) Jembrana, the military and police coordinated the necropsy and burial.

Several reports said the operation, including examination, evacuation and burial, was completed in the late afternoon or early evening of Saturday, 12 September, with police urging residents not to climb on or cut the carcass and to allow authorised personnel to handle the protected species.

Some outlets noted that the whale shark was initially observed alive but weak in the shallows before it died and was brought fully ashore, highlighting the challenges of responding to large marine-animal strandings on a narrow beach.

Cause of death still under investigation

Local media stated that the precise cause of death was not immediately known and remained under investigation following the necropsy.

Reports quoted officials saying further analysis by marine and veterinary experts was needed to determine why the shark stranded and died, and whether disease, injury or human-related factors played a role.

An editorial footage caption from an international photo agency noted that plastic debris was found in the animal’s liver and stomach during examination, while stressing that authorities were still investigating the overall cause of death.

Whale sharks in Bali’s waters

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are the world’s largest known fish and feed by filtering plankton and other small organisms from the water column.

Coverage of the Jembrana stranding reminded readers that the species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, facing threats that include targeted fishing, bycatch in nets and collisions with large vessels.

The incident at Pengeragoan Beach shows how Balinese authorities and conservation groups respond to a rare large-animal stranding: securing the area, bringing in specialists to examine the carcass, using heavy equipment to move the body and burying it to limit environmental and public-health impacts, while leaving the investigation into the cause of death to marine experts.

Sources

• Detik Bali
• Bali Discovery
• RRI Singaraja
• SuaraBali.id
• Tribun Bali
• CNN Indonesia
• Gobaligo Bali News blog
• EditorialFootage / NurPhoto
• Balipost
• The Bali Times