Detik reports that the a large whale shark was found in the shallow waters of Pengeragoan Beach, Jembrana Regency, north of Tanah Lot Temple in Bali.
Residents found the large fish, believed to be a whale shark (Rhincodon typus), on Friday morning, 11 September 2026, around 8:30 am.
The physical description of the endangered fish as having a large, elongated body, dark skin with white spotted patterns, and a prominent dorsal fin, and photos of the large mammal are consistent with identification as a whale shark. Whale sharks are large, slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet sharks and are considered the largest known extant fish species.
Consuming plankton, krill, fish eggs, and small schooling fish such as sardines and anchovies, whale sharks “filter” over 6,000 liters of water per hour through their sieve-like gills in search of food. Extremely docile, whale sharks represent no threat to humans, with divers and snorkelers often reporting playful interactions with these animals in the open seas.
Listed on the IUCN Red List as an Endangered species, the population of whale sharks is estimated to have declined by more than 50% over the past 75 years due to fishing bycatch in other fisheries and collisions with large ships.
AKP I Putu Suparta, Head of the Water and Air Police Unit (Satpolairud) of the Jembrana Resort Police, said on Saturday, 12 September 2026, that physical indications point to the whale shark species, pending formal verification by fishery authorities.
High tides made closer examination of the carcass at 10:30 am on Saturday difficult. Police have asked residents and visitors to refrain from actions that could endanger the animal or themselves. This includes touching, pulling, striking, climbing onto, or attempting to move the animal.
”We are currently coordinating with various parties, including JSI (Indonesian Animal Network). The exact condition of the animal remains unknown,” Suparta explained.
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