SANDY HOOK — Marine mammal researchers were working Wednesday to determine what killed a humpback whale that came ashore on the Jersey Shore, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
The nonprofit said the whale was first seen floating offshore at about 7:50 a.m. Roughly 30 minutes later, surf pushed the animal onto the beach at Sandy Hook.
Researchers estimated the whale measured about 30 feet in length. The stranding center said a necropsy was expected to begin as crews prepared to remove the carcass from the beach.
The humpback is the second dead whale examined by the organization so far this year, based on its records.
In January, the center investigated a fin whale discovered dead on the bow of a container ship after it arrived in Camden County. They believe a ship strike likely played a role in the whale’s death.
We will keep you updated on any further developments.
