A whale was found dead after being washed ashore on the coast of Anyar Sari Beach, Nusa Sari Village, Melaya Sub-district, Jembrana Regency, Bali, on Tuesday afternoon (5 May 2026).
The incident was first noticed by local residents at around 2.00 pm local time. According to a witness, I Putu Pulasari, the local village head, the initial report came from coastal residents who had spotted a large object on the water’s surface. Initially, the whale appeared to be showing signs of life.
“Earlier, the whale had been seen moving by residents about 100 metres from the shoreline. However, after the tide receded slightly, it remained stationary with its head facing the sea and did not move again,” said the Head of the Jembrana Police Marine Unit, AKP Putu Suparta.
At around 15:00 WITA, officers from the Jembrana Police Marine Unit, together with the Indonesian Navy from Gilimanuk, arrived at the scene to secure the area as hundreds of residents began to gather to see it.
“Tomorrow we will bury this whale carcass after a thorough examination by a veterinarian to analyse the cause of death,” said the Chief of the Melaya Police Station, Kompol I Ketut Sukadana, in Jembrana, as reported by Antara on Tuesday evening, 5 May 2026.
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The whale was stranded on Anyarsari Beach, Nusasari Village, Melaya District, at around 2.00 pm local time. Information regarding the stranded whale was first reported by a local resident named I Putu Pulasari, after which the news spread rapidly, including a report to the police.
“The whale was located approximately 100 metres from the shore. Onlookers observed it moving, suggesting it was still alive when first discovered,” he said.
Meanwhile, AKP Putu Suparta confirmed that his team had coordinated swiftly with the Indonesian Wildlife Network and a veterinarian to conduct an initial identification of the mammal’s carcass.
“Based on the initial identification at the scene, the mammal is a sperm whale. It is quite long, measuring 15 metres, and is female,” explained AKP Putu Suparta, as quoted by IDN Times.
Although its size and species have been identified, the exact cause of death of this giant of the sea remains unknown. The team of experts still requires further examination to determine whether external factors were involved or if it was due to old age or illness.
Following the examination, the plan is to bury the whale immediately at the site to prevent undesirable issues, such as foul odours from the carcass.
The Head of the Water and Air Police Unit (Polairud), AKP Putu Suparta, said that his unit, together with relevant agencies, would maintain a presence at the site to ensure the situation remains safe and orderly until the whale is buried.
