A decomposing whale, measuring approximately seven meters in length, was discovered washed ashore at Legian Beach, Kuta, on Friday afternoon.
The whale’s body, tangled in a fisherman’s net, was found in front of the Bali Niksoma Hotel.
Likely Cause of Death: Fishing Nets
Preliminary investigations by the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) Bali suggest the whale likely died at sea three to four days before being carried ashore by currents.
“The whale was probably caught in a fishing net, leading to its death. When discovered, its stomach contents had already spilled out,” said BKSDA official Komang Adi.
Veteranarian Steven from the Westerlaken Foundation noted the whale’s species, gender, and exact weight could not be identified, though its dimensions were estimated at seven meters long and two meters wide.
Local Collaboration Aids Quick Burial
By the time the BKSDA team arrived, the whale’s remains had already been buried by local authorities and residents of Legian Village, in coordination with Badung’s Environmental Agency. This prevented the team from conducting a necropsy or collecting samples for further analysis.
Despite this setback, Ratna Hendratmoko, Head of BKSDA Bali, praised the collaborative efforts of the community and local government.
“We extend our gratitude to everyone involved in the swift handling of the whale’s carcass. Such partnerships are vital for protecting Bali’s marine ecosystem and sustaining a healthy, sustainable tourism industry,” she said.
