JEMBRANA, DEWATA.NEWS – A small whale believed to be a dwarf sperm whale was found stranded along the coast of Tembles Beach in Penyaringan Village, Mendoyo Subdistrict, Jembrana Regency, Bali, prompting a coordinated rescue effort by local residents and authorities.
The marine mammal was first discovered on Monday evening, January 26, 2026, at around 8:00 p.m. WITA. According to Mendoyo Police Chief I Wayan Sartika, a local food stall owner noticed the animal washed ashore in a weakened condition and immediately alerted nearby residents.
“Witnesses saw the whale stranded and, together with local residents, attempted to push it back into the sea that night,” Sartika said on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Despite the initial effort, the rescue attempt was unsuccessful. The whale, measuring approximately 1.5 meters in length, was found stranded again early Tuesday morning at around 7:00 a.m. WITA, not far from the original location.
When rediscovered, the animal appeared to be in a more critical state. Officers from Mendoyo Police, along with fisheries extension officers, responded to the scene to assess and assist with the rescue.
“The whale was extremely weak, and there were reddish marks on its body, which are suspected to be bruises. Its length is about 1.5 meters,” Sartika explained.
Authorities made further attempts to guide the whale back into deeper waters. However, due to its deteriorating physical condition, the animal was repeatedly carried back toward the shoreline by coastal currents.
Police then coordinated with Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency for advanced handling. Following the assessment, the whale was evacuated and transported to a wildlife rehabilitation facility operated by Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JSI) in Buleleng Regency for further care.
Authorities have reminded the public to immediately report similar incidents involving stranded marine animals and to avoid handling them without guidance, as proper response is critical to the animal’s survival.