Beached Whale Was Likely Killed By Human Interaction

A humpback whale that was beached in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, on Friday was likely killed by human interaction, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine said.

It appears as though the 33-foot whale may have been left unable to eat after getting caught in a commercial fishing line, Marine Mammal Stranding Center Founding Director Bob Scholekopf said.

The whale's body was scarred, and there wasn't much food in its stomach, Scholekopf said.

It may have also been hit by a ship after it died.

A necropsy conducted on Saturday showed the 20-ton whale was emaciated.

Officials believe the whale may have been dead for several days before it was beached around 3 p.m. Friday afternoon, and was seen off the coast of Strathmere earlier in the day.

After the necropsy, the whale was buried on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Sea Isle City Police