Dead Whale Shark Washed Ashore in Wakatobi Burned to Prevent Foul Odor
WAKATOBI, KOMPAS.com – The carcass of a whale shark about 9 meters long that died after washing ashore in the waters of Dusun Rayon, Matahora Village, South Wangi-Wangi District, Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra), was burned.
The burning was carried out by residents along with officers from the Water and Air Police Unit (Satpolairud) of Wakatobi Police and the Wakatobi National Park Authority on Sunday (9/20/2026).
This step was taken to prevent the whale shark carcass from producing a foul odor that could disturb local residents around the site.
The head of Satpolairud Wakatobi Police, IPtu Jufri, said burning was the last option after the whale shark was confirmed dead.
"Today we carried out the final evacuation. There are three methods when the whale shark has died: burial, drifting it out to sea, or burning," Jufri said on Sunday.
Of these three options, officers could not adopt the burial or drifting method for the carcass.
The shallow waters during low tide posed one of the main challenges.
"For the two methods, sinking it or burial, it wasn’t possible due to difficulties caused by the low tide. Therefore, the action we took was burning," he explained.
Since morning, the community began working together to prepare various materials to burn the marine animal’s carcass.
Dry wood, dead coconut branches, and used tires were gathered and brought to the site.
These materials were then piled atop the dead whale shark’s body.
The burning took place once the tide receded and the carcass was manageable on site.
Preparations for handling the carcass had been underway since early morning.
Authorities from the Wakatobi National Park together with the community collected wood and necessary equipment for the burning process.
"Our colleagues from the Wakatobi National Park Authority began preparations around 4 a.m. Then, together with the village residents, they promptly prepared firewood and tools needed for the burning at the scene," Jufri said.
