Local wildlife officials have revealed that a humpback whale, which washed ashore at Sea Isle City, New Jersey last Friday, died due to human interference.
After completing a necropsy on Saturday, scientists from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center have determined that the 33 foot, 20-ton whale died when it came in contact with a commercial fishing line that violently scarred its body.
According to Bob Scholekopf from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the whale only had a small amount of food in its stomach, which suggests that the animal was not eating well due to its injury. He noted that the whale was very much emaciated and that ultimately led to its death.
Scholekopf added that the whale most likely collided with a ship. However, the animal has already perished at the time that the collision occurred.
Scientists have suggested that the whale may have been drifting in the waters for several days before it washed up near 20th Street in Sea Isle. Researchers have buried the whale.
Humpback whales are known to breed and feed near shorelines. They survive on krill and small fish. During breeding season, they travel around 25,000 kilometers every year to warmer waters. These massive marine creatures need to eat half a ton of food daily. They can weigh up to 40 tons.
Currently, humpback whales are an endangered marine mammal species. The International Whaling Commission has already declared worldwide protection status for the creature. There are only about 30,000 to 40,000 humpback whales left.