A rare sighting of a newborn whale shark in Indonesia could provide scientists with important clues about where the world’s largest fish begin their lives.

The young whale shark was discovered in Saleh Bay on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa, a sheltered area where nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean supports large populations of fish and squid.

Local fishermen spotted the unusual visitor during the early hours of 6 September 2024. While fishing from traditional floating structures known as bagans, they noticed a small whale shark caught in one of their nets and alerted local scientists.

The animal was filmed at around 04:30. Measuring only about 5ft (1.5m), it was estimated to be roughly four months old and around one-tenth the size of a fully grown whale shark.

For marine scientist Mochamad Iqbal Herwata Putra, the shark’s small size made the discovery particularly significant. It was identified as the first neonatal whale shark documented in Indonesia and only one of a relatively small number ever recorded by scientists.

The discovery could help researchers better understand the early stages of whale shark development and potentially identify important nursery areas where the endangered species begins its life.