RRI.CO.ID, Jembrana - A massive sperm whale, measuring approximately 15 meters in length, was found dead after washboarding onto the shores of Jembrana Regency, Bali, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The sight of the giant marine mammal drew hundreds of local residents to the coastline of Anyarsari Beach in the Melaya Subdistrict.

Police Commissioner (Kompol) I Ketut Sukadana, Chief of the Melaya Sector Police, confirmed that a thorough investigation into the cause of death is underway. "Tomorrow, the whale's carcass will be buried after a thorough examination by veterinarians to analyze the cause of death," Sukadana said on Tuesday night, as quoted by Antara.

The whale was first spotted around 2.00 p.m. local time by a local resident, I Putu Pulasari. According to eyewitness accounts, the animal appeared to show signs of life when it was first discovered about 100 meters from the shoreline.

"The whale was about 100 meters from the shore. Residents watching saw it moving, and it was suspected that it was still alive when it was first found," Sukadana explained.

However, as the tide receded, the whale ceased moving. Upon closer inspection by authorities, the whale, identified as a female, was confirmed dead, with its head positioned toward the sea.

To maintain order and ensure the safety of the public, personnel from the Melaya Police, the Water and Air Police (Polairud), and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) have been deployed to the scene.

Police Assistant Commissioner (AKP) Putu Suparta, Head of the Jembrana Polairud, said that his team is guarding the location to prevent any unauthorized handling of the carcass and to manage the crowd until the burial is completed.

The burial is scheduled for Wednesday to prevent the carcass from decomposing on the beach, which would pose a sanitation risk and produce a strong foul odor for the surrounding village of Nusasari.

This incident adds to a series of whale strandings across the Indonesian archipelago in recent months, highlighting the ongoing importance of marine conservation and monitoring in the region's waters. ***