A humpback whale found stranded on Perancak Beach in Jembrana Regency, Bali, has died despite repeated rescue efforts by local residents, authorities, and marine conservation officers.
The protected marine mammal was first discovered stranded on the shoreline of Perancak Village on Tuesday (14 July). Local residents immediately joined forces to push the whale back into deeper water at around 11.45 a.m. However, the whale later returned to shore and became stranded for a second time.
Nengah Padmasana, a resident who participated in the rescue, said the community had done everything possible to return the whale to its natural habitat.
“This afternoon, five of us pushed the whale to the middle. But after getting a little further out, it stranded itself again, where it is now,” Padmasana told DetikBali.
Residents continued to assist officers throughout the afternoon while police secured the area as members of the public gathered at the beach. Rescue attempts continued, but the receding tide made it increasingly difficult to move the whale back into the sea.
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Whale Declared Dead After Rescue Attempts
A joint team from the Indonesian Animal Network (Jaringan Satwa Indonesia/JSI), local authorities, and volunteers carried out a series of emergency measures in an effort to save the whale. Officers examined its physical condition, measured its body, and created a temporary pool to keep its skin moist while waiting for the tide to rise.
According to JSI, the humpback whale measured approximately 7.7 metres in length. However, its sex could not immediately be identified.
“It’s not yet known whether the whale was male or female because it was still in a straight position,” said JSI veterinarian Dr Farida Ulya Nugrahatin.
Despite the team’s efforts, the whale’s condition continued to deteriorate after remaining stranded on land for an extended period. It was later declared dead on Tuesday afternoon.
Jembrana Police Chief AKP I Putu Suparta confirmed that every possible effort had been made to save the animal.
“Every effort was made to save the whale, but due to its prolonged stranding, the whale ultimately died. Initial information indicates the whale died around 3.30 p.m. WITA,” Suparta said.
Following the whale’s death, officers began conducting a necropsy to determine the cause of death before burying the carcass to prevent environmental pollution.
“Currently, JSI is still conducting the necropsy before burial. Heavy equipment has also prepared a hole for the whale’s carcass,” Suparta concluded.
