New Jersey’s Cape May Point.The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) said Wednesday that a necropsy of a young Minke whale that stranded and died near Sunset Beach earlier this week showed the animal was highly malnourished and had several health problems.
During the afternoon of December 3, the 17.5-foot-long sub-adult female whale was found. Researchers examined it and discovered that it was in poor physical condition, with skeletal structures and significant spinal ridges showing beneath its skin.
According to preliminary necropsy findings, there was indications of infectious disease in multiple organs, including the liver, lungs, and major heart blood arteries. Additionally, there were indications of inflammation in the animal’s joints. The whale’s stomach included fish bones, but no complete fish were discovered, and aside from a few roundworms, its intestines were largely empty.
The whale was interred on-site at Cape May Point following the necropsy. Additional histopathological investigation of the biological samples that were gathered may shed more light on the condition and cause of death of the animal.
The Borough of Cape May Point Department of Public Works and its volunteers were recognized by the MMSC for their hard work during the recovery and examination, which was carried out in difficult circumstances. As new information on the case becomes available, it will be updated on MMSC’s website.
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