21 Pilot Whales Die Trapped in Fishing Nets off Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara; Necropsies Underway

Twenty-one pilot whales that died after becoming trapped in fishing nets at Mbadokai Beach, Fuafuni Village, South West Rote District, Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), are undergoing necropsy. The necropsy is being conducted for documentation purposes, scientific study, and further analysis to determine the precise cause of death.

Imam Fauzi, head of the Marine Management Centre (Balai Pengelolaan Kelautan) in Kupang, revealed that identification results show the marine mammals are short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), a protected marine species.

“Preliminary measurements show the largest individual reached 5.1 metres in length and was male, whilst the smallest individual measured approximately 2.4 metres,” Imam told detikBali on Wednesday (11 March 2026).

The dozens of marine mammals have now been buried to prevent environmental impacts such as foul odours. During the burial process, officials urged residents not to take or consume any parts of the whales, as the marine mammals are a protected species.

“These efforts were carried out swiftly through collaboration between authorities, conservation organisations, local government, and the local community after the dozens of marine mammals were reported stranded on 9-10 March 2026,” Imam explained.

Imam stated that a total of approximately 55 pilot whales appeared at Mbadokai Beach, likely due to shallow sea conditions. The mass emergence of whales and their entanglement in fishing nets is a phenomenon that can be influenced by various factors, such as strong social bonds between individual whales, disruption of navigation systems caused by ocean noise, shallow beach conditions, and health and environmental factors.

“The precise cause of this incident still requires further study through comprehensive scientific analysis,” Imam said.

The Kupang Marine Management Centre, Rote Ndao Work Area, initially received a report from the TNI Military Base on Rote Island regarding the emergence of a group of pilot whales at Batutua Beach on Monday (9 March 2026) at approximately 17:15 Wita. Shortly afterwards, naval personnel together with the South West Rote police sector immediately attempted to herd the whales back to sea using boats.

However, part of the pod reappeared at Mbadokai Beach around 21:30 Wita. TNI and police personnel, together with local residents, then attempted to herd the group of whales towards deeper waters to save the individuals still alive.

Personnel from the Kupang Marine Management Centre, Rote Ndao Work Area, together with conservation organisations Thrive Conservation and Blue Forest arrived at the location to conduct further handling on Tuesday (10 March 2026). Joint personnel then evacuated and released the whales that were still alive.

“Of the approximately 55 pilot whales found in total, 34 were successfully herded back to sea. Meanwhile, 21 whales, consisting of 8 males and 13 females, were found dead. The 21 dead whales also comprised 4 calves and 17 adults,” Imam explained.