Wakatobi National Park Authority Collaborates with Partners to Handle Beached Whale Shark in Wakatobi

The Wakatobi National Park Office (BTNW), in collaboration with the local government, authorities, community members, diving groups, and development partners including the Nusantara Nature Conservation Foundation (YKAN) and WWF Indonesia, responded to a whale shark (Rhincodon typus) that was found stranded in the waters of Matahora Village, South Wangi-Wangi District, Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. The team collaborated to ensure a swift, safe, and environmentally and socially conscious handling process.

Residents first discovered the whale shark, approximately 9 meters in length and estimated to weigh around five tons, on Saturday, 19 September 2026. Following the report, BTNW and its partners immediately coordinated efforts to handle the situation, prioritising personnel safety, environmental conditions, and the tidal characteristics of the location. Over several days, the joint team attempted rescue operations. However, the shallow waters, the animal’s position far from deeper areas, and low tide conditions posed significant challenges to evacuation efforts. Ultimately, the whale shark could not be saved and died on site.

The team coordinated and considered both technical and environmental aspects, then moved the carcass approximately 700 meters from the original stranding location to an area further from residential settlements before safely disposing of it. This effort was to minimise disturbance to the community, reduce potential environmental impacts, and ensure the handling process could be conducted safely and effectively.

La Ode Ahyar Thamrin Mufti, Head of Wakatobi National Park, highlighted the importance of preparedness and multi-stakeholder synergy in responding to incidents involving large marine animals in conservation areas.

“The handling of this stranded whale shark was a result of collaboration among multiple parties. We appreciate everyone who contributed to this effort. Despite the technical challenges in the field, every step was taken in coordination and with careful consideration to ensure safe handling while minimising environmental impact,” said La Ode Ahyar.

The handling effort involved various stakeholders, including local government, security forces, marine educational institutions, conservation organisations, development partners, village authorities, and the local community.

Sarminto Hadi, Director of Species and Genetic Conservation at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, praised BTNW and its partners for their swift response.

“We commend Wakatobi National Park, the local government, authorities, communities, and partners for their quick action. This incident proves that multi-stakeholder collaboration is vital for effectively managing and handling protected marine species. Strong synergy among stakeholders is crucial to ensure that response efforts are swift, precise, and conservation-focused,” Sarminto stated.

Saharuni, Head of Matahora Village, expressed that the community actively participated in the handling process from the moment the whale shark was discovered.

“The community and village government are deeply concerned about this event. Throughout the handling process, we provided manpower and support while maintaining close coordination with field officers. For the people of Wakatobi, the sea is a source of life that must be protected, including the animals living within it,” he said.

Long-term Collaboration to Protect Wakatobi's Marine Ecosystem

YKAN participates in this event as part of its ongoing partnership with BTNW and stakeholders to protect coastal and marine ecosystems in Wakatobi. YKAN supports strengthening conservation area management, conducts community-based natural resource surveillance, and improves marine governance by engaging local communities as part of the conservation solution.

Efforts include supporting the establishment and socialisation of natural resource protection procedures with local communities in Wakatobi National Park, as well as enhancing the role of indigenous communities in managing coastal and marine resources sustainably.

Yusuf Fajariyanto, YKAN's Senior Ocean Protection Manager, emphasized that Wakatobi is one of the key regions for marine biodiversity. This region is vital for both ecosystem sustainability and the livelihoods of coastal communities. YKAN is committed to strengthening conservation area management and community roles in protecting marine resources.

“This event is a reminder that the health of marine ecosystems and the survival of protected species are interconnected. Whale sharks are an important part of Indonesia’s marine biodiversity, so any incident involving protected species must be a shared concern. Protecting these areas, managing marine resources sustainably, and involving communities are key to safeguarding important marine habitats and species in Wakatobi,” Yusuf said.

The stranding underscores the importance of preparedness, adequate facilities, and strong collaboration among stakeholders in responding to similar events. It also highlights the need for supporting infrastructure and cooperation with government agencies and private sectors equipped with tools such as excavators. Through these lessons, stakeholders are strengthening their commitment to preserving Wakatobi’s marine ecosystem as a habitat for diverse species and a source of livelihood for coastal communities.