Jakarta, May 2 -- An Indonesian research team has found that whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) migrate across at least 13 countries and international waters, underscoring the need for conservation strategies that go beyond local boundaries.

A press statement on Saturday revealed that the study, conducted by researchers from Konservasi Indonesia, the Elasmobranch Institute Indonesia, Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Diponegoro, and Conservation International, analyzed satellite tracking data from 2015-2025 covering 70 whale sharks at four major aggregation sites: Cenderawasih Bay (Central Papua), Kaimana (West Papua), Saleh Bay (West Nusa Tenggara), and Tomini Bay (Gorontalo).

"We now understand not only where whale sharks appear, but als...