A dead sperm whale was discovered on Banyu Ning Beach in the Amed area. Local fishermen initially mistook it for a coral reef. Upon realizing it was a drifting marine animal, the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) was called to the scene.
Experts confirmed the whale’s death, but retrieving its body from the water proved challenging. Heavy machinery could not access the burial site, and moving the massive carcass without mechanical assistance was impossible.
The male whale measured over 12.5 meters (41 feet) in length, 2.2 meters (7 feet) in width, and weighed approximately 2-3 tons.
Performing an autopsy was further delayed by heavy rain. Upon examination, the whale was found to be missing its lower jaw. Moreover, the head of the BKSDA, Ratna Hendratmoko, reported that its fins and the base of its tail appeared to have been cut off.
It remains unclear when the animal lost these body parts or whether human interference was involved. Witnesses noted that the whale appeared intact while it was still in the water. The cause of death also remains uncertain.
By the time of the autopsy, over 24 hours had passed since the whale’s death. Its decomposing body emitted a strong odor and risked polluting the coastal waters. To prevent further contamination, the carcass was quickly buried on the beach where it had washed ashore, following standard procedures for dealing with stranded marine mammals.
The Ministry of Fisheries has launched an investigation to determine the whale’s cause of death through sample analysis.
Experts speculate that the whale may have become stranded due to illness, a common occurrence for Bali. Sperm whales and whale sharks are often found deceased near the island’s shores. Health issues frequently disrupt marine mammals’ navigation, leading them to shallow waters where they are unable to return to the open sea, usually resulting in fatal outcomes.
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