LONG BEACH ISLAND – A dead humpback whale was found washed up on a Jersey Shore beach Thursday morning, officials said.
The nearly 30-foot whale was discovered in the area of 51st Street in Long Beach Township at about 6:45 a.m., Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) said in a statement.
MMSC staff are currently heading to LBI to investigate the whale’s death. Long Beach Township Police were on scene to make sure bystanders keep their distance from the whale.
This is the first whale of the year that was found dead along the Jersey Shore. According to MMSC records, 17 whales were stranded on New Jersey beaches last year.
