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.
