Surf City, New Jersey – A post-mortem examination conducted on a whale that washed ashore on Long Beach Island in New Jersey revealed troubling findings. The juvenile male humpback whale suffered multiple blunt force injuries, including a fractured skull and vertebrae. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center shared these observations following a necropsy performed on the nearly 25-foot whale found lifeless in Long Beach Township.
Director of the center, Sheila Dean, remarked that the whale displayed signs of bruising around the head, numerous fractures in the skull and cervical vertebrae, dislocated ribs, and a dislocated shoulder bone, all indicating blunt force trauma. While the exact cause of these injuries remains to be determined through further testing, Dean emphasized the importance of reporting only what is observed.
The mysterious circumstances surrounding the whale’s demise have sparked intense interest, particularly in light of debates surrounding offshore wind power and its potential impact on marine wildlife. Despite concerns raised by some opponents of wind energy projects, scientific agencies like NOAA, the Marine Mammal Commission, and others have found no evidence linking offshore wind activities to whale fatalities.
The stranding center disclosed that this tragic incident marks New Jersey’s first whale death of the year, following 14 in 2023. Amidst questions and skepticism from certain groups regarding the official accounts of these whale deaths, assurances have been provided by wind farm developers like Leading Light Wind, emphasizing their commitment to minimizing risks to marine life during project construction.
In addition to the fatal injuries sustained by the whale, evidence of previous entanglement with fishing gear was also uncovered during the examination. This grim discovery serves as a reminder of the various threats facing marine mammals, underscoring the importance of continued research and conservation efforts to protect these majestic creatures in the world’s oceans.