A minke whale stranded alive on a Jersey Shore beach had to be euthanized this week due to multiple medical issues, marine mammal experts reported. The 18-foot-long female whale was found on Sunset Beach in Cape May County showing signs of emaciation and infectious disease in its organs. Despite efforts to save the whale, a veterinarian determined it was too sick to be returned to the sea. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center conducted a necropsy and found fluid in its lungs and liver, confirming its poor health.
Minke whale strandings in New Jersey are rare, with only a few reported cases in recent years. Studies on beached minke whales in North America have revealed similar trends of human interactions and infectious diseases. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has called for further investigation into the cause of these strandings. The center urges support for ongoing research and conservation efforts to protect marine mammals. For more local news, readers are encouraged to subscribe to NJ.com. Contact Eric Conklin at econklin@njadvancemedia.com for more information.
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