Jember, East Java. A six-meter whale shark weighing around two tons was found stranded on Pancer Beach, Jember Regency, East Java, on Sunday morning. Despite efforts to push the giant fish back into the ocean, the animal died hours later.

Local fishermen were the first to spot the whale shark in a weakened state close to shore. Residents, along with police and volunteers, rushed to help, but strong waves and the shark’s sheer size made the rescue attempt unsuccessful.

“We tried with local residents and volunteers to return the whale shark to deeper waters, but unfortunately it died,” said First Sub-Inspector Agus Riyanto from the Jember Water Police.

The carcass will be buried by the local wildlife agency, he added.

Southern Jember’s coastline is known as a hotspot for whale shark strandings, especially during periods of extreme weather and shifting ocean currents.

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the world’s largest fish species and is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Global populations are estimated at fewer than 200,000 individuals.

Indonesia has classified the species as protected since 2013, banning its capture and killing. 

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