Police have warned that people who stole teeth from two sperm whale carcasses in Bali were breaking the law as they remain protected species whether alive or dead.
The carcasses washed up on beaches in Bali and when officials came to try and remove them, they discovered that the teeth from both carcasses had been removed.
Permana Yudiarso, who is the Head of the Coastal and Marine Resources Management Center (BPSPL) in Denpasar, the city’s capital, said the first carcass was found floating in the waters of Mertasari, Serangan, South Denpasar yesterday (Tuesday) and the second carcass was found stranded on Mengiat Beach, Nusa Dua, in Badung today (Wednesday).
He revealed that when the BPSPL examined the bodies, they found that the teeth had been removed.
Teeth allegedly stolen from carcasses of sperm whales stranded on Bali beach 
Teeth allegedly stolen from carcasses of sperm whales stranded on Bali beach
Whale teeth are made of ivory and when registered can be sold, but unregistered teeth are illegal to sell for commercial purposes and also cannot be traded unless the people holding them want to face criminal charges.
In the 1800s whale teeth were used to create artworks known as scrimshaw.
Officials urged the public to stay away from stranded whales which are protected species whether alive or dead and urged them to report it to the Bali Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries when they spot them.
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Story By: James King, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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