A post-mortem examination of a nearly 25-foot juvenile male humpback whale that washed ashore on Long Beach Island in New Jersey revealed multiple blunt force injuries. The examination conducted by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center identified a fractured skull, vertebrae, dislocated ribs, and a dislocated shoulder bone. These injuries, including bruising around the head, skull fractures, and cervical vertebrae fractures, were consistent with blunt force trauma.
The cause of death of the whale remains under investigation, with tissue samples sent to laboratories for further testing. The incident has sparked interest due to concerns about potential harm to whales from offshore wind power projects. However, scientific agencies, including NOAA and the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, have stated that there is no evidence linking offshore wind preparation to whale deaths.
This marks New Jersey's first whale death of the year, following 14 in 2023. The whale also showed signs of past entanglement with fishing gear, although no gear was present when it washed ashore. Scars from a previous entanglement were found on the tail and pectoral flipper.
Leading Light Wind, a proposed wind farm off the New Jersey coast, emphasized its commitment to minimizing risks to wildlife. The project developers stated that they are investing in monitoring and mitigation initiatives to ensure the coexistence of the offshore wind industry and a healthy marine environment.
While some groups remain skeptical of official explanations for the whale deaths, attributing them to entanglements and ship strikes, others urge caution against misinformation campaigns. The investigation into the whale's death continues as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the injuries sustained by the humpback whale.
