Whale shark strands and dies on Wakatobi beach

A 9.17-meter whale shark (Rhincodon typus) was found dead after stranding on Matahora Beach in the Wangi-Wangi Selatan district of Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi, on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

Local residents first discovered the protected marine animal, weighing approximately 5 tons, around 06:00 WITA. Despite emergency rescue efforts by the Wakatobi National Park, Wakatobi Police, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and local citizens, the shark died by 09:30 WITA. Rescuers attempted to keep the animal's skin moist, but efforts were hampered by extreme heat and rapidly receding tides.

Evacuation of the carcass faced technical difficulties due to shallow waters, with levels measuring only 50 to 60 centimeters. Authorities scheduled the removal of the carcass for later in the afternoon during high tide to prevent environmental pollution from decomposition.