CAPE MAY POINT, N.J. — A necropsy performed on a young Minke whale that stranded and died at Sunset Beach earlier this week revealed the animal was severely emaciated and suffering from multiple health issues, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) announced Wednesday.
The sub-adult female whale, measuring 17.5 feet in length, was discovered on the afternoon of December 3. Upon examination, researchers found it to be in poor physical condition, with prominent spinal ridges and skeletal features visible beneath its skin.
Preliminary findings from the necropsy indicated evidence of infectious disease in several organs, including severely congested lungs, a congested liver, and lesions in major blood vessels of the heart. The animal’s joints also showed signs of inflammation. While fish bones were present in the whale’s stomach, no whole fish were found, and its intestines were mostly empty except for a small number of roundworms.
After the necropsy, the whale was buried on-site at Cape May Point. Biological samples were collected and will undergo further histopathological analysis, which could provide more detailed insights into the animal’s condition and cause of death.
The MMSC thanked its volunteers and the Borough of Cape May Point Department of Public Works for their efforts during the recovery and examination, conducted under challenging weather conditions. Updates on the case will be posted on MMSC’s website as additional findings become available.