Dead Dolphins Wash Up On 3 New Jersey Beaches

SANDY HOOK GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, NJ — In the past four days, bottlenose dolphins have washed up dead on three different New Jersey beaches, and marine mammal experts are at a loss as to why. Two whales also washed up dead on New Jersey beaches recently; a pygmy sperm whale and her calf washed up at Brigantine last Wednesday, Oct. 4. They both had to be euthanized because they were badly injured from rolling the surf.

The most recent dolphin washed up Monday in Sea Bright, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a volunteer marine mammal rescue center based in Brigantine. On Sunday, Oct. 8 a dead dolphin washed up in Sea Isle City, and on Friday, Oct. 6 one washed up at Sandy Hook.

Center director Bob Schoelkopf said he wasn't sure why they were washing up, although at least one had shark bites. Tests are being conducted to determine how all three died and if they are connected. A third pygmy sperm whale washed up Sept. 20 in Holgate on Long Beach Island, according to NJ.com. The whales are especially concerning, because the pygmy sperm whales are deep-sea creatures, Schoelkopf said.

"Another one today. We hope this isn't a trend," the Stranding Center wrote on Facebook. "This poor dolphin came ashore in Sea Isle early this morning, but died in the surf shortly afterward. Staff and volunteers arrived shortly after he had expired. Necropsy will tell what could have happened to cause the numerous shark bites on his body."

Photos from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center