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Marine Mammal Stranding Center

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Humpback Whale Found Along Jersey Shore Died From Blunt Force Trauma, Autopsy Shows Humpback Whale Found Along Jersey Shore Died From Blunt Force Trauma, Autopsy Shows
Humpback Whale Found Along Jersey Shore Died From Blunt Force Trauma, Autopsy Shows The first whale found dead along the Jersey Shore in 2024 was killed by blunt force trauma, according to a marine animal rehabilitation center. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) released the humpback whale's autopsy findings in a Facebook post on Friday, Apr. 12. The whale was found in the surf near 51st Street in Long Beach at around 6:45 a.m. on Thursday, Apr. 11. MMSC said the whale was a one-year-old male that was 24 feet 10 inches long. The initial findings showed the whale's head had bruises, several skull fractures, and a hematoma. The autopsy also showed the whale suf…

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by Chris Spiker
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First Dead Whale Of 2024 Washes Up Along Jersey Shore First Dead Whale Of 2024 Washes Up Along Jersey Shore
First Dead Whale Of 2024 Washes Up Along Jersey Shore A dead whale has washed up along the Jersey Shore for the first time in 2024, according to a marine animal rehabilitation center. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) received a report about a humpback whale found in the surf near 51st Street in Long Beach at around 6:45 a.m. on Thursday, Apr. 11. In a Facebook post, MMSC said the whale was estimated to be about 20 to 30 feet long. This whale is the first one MMSC has found dead along the Jersey Shore since Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. According to the Brigantine group's stranding data, a minke whale was found near Leonardo State Mar…

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by Chris Spiker
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Baby Seal Dies After Wandering Ocean City Streets Baby Seal Dies After Wandering Ocean City Streets
Baby Seal Dies After Wandering Ocean City Streets A baby seal has died nearly two weeks after it was rescued while wandering around an Ocean City neighborhood. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) said the grey seal died on Monday, Feb. 19. The male pup received treatment for parasites and a possible respiratory infection from the Brigantine center's veterinarian. MMSC said the seal's death was surprising since his health had begun to improve. "We were hopeful when the pup began showing more interest in food last week, even starting to eat smaller fish on his own in recent days," MMSC said in a Facebook post. "However, on the ev…

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by Chris Spiker
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Plastic From Bottled Water Entangles Seal On NJ Beach Plastic From Bottled Water Entangles Seal On NJ Beach
Plastic From Bottled Water Entangles Seal On NJ Beach A Jersey Shore animal rehabilitation center rescued a baby seal tangled up in plastic wrapping from a case of bottled water. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) said the female grey seal was found on the shore in Beach Haven at around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15. The pup was brought to MMSC's facility in Brigantine, and the plastic packaging was removed. The center's veterinarian examined the baby seal and found that the plastic had not cut into her neck. The pup was thin, lethargic, and suffered from gastrointestinal issues. The female seal was underweight at 38.2 pounds. She was…

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by Chris Spiker
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Watch Seal Bitten By Shark's Emotional Return To Jersey Shore Waters Watch Seal Bitten By Shark's Emotional Return To Jersey Shore Waters
Watch Seal Bitten By Shark's Emotional Return To Jersey Shore Waters After a weeks-long recovery, a young seal bitten by a shark and rescued on a Monmouth County beach has returned to the ocean. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) said the male harbor seal finished his recovery and was released into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday, Feb. 8.  Happy Release Day! On Thursday our male Harbor seal, who originally stranded in Surf City on Christmas Day, was ready... Posted by Marine Mammal Stranding Center on Friday, February 9, 2024 The animal rehabilitation center posted a Facebook video on Friday, Feb. 9 showing the seal's return. The s…

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by Chris Spiker
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Baby Seal Rescued After Wandering Streets In Ocean City Baby Seal Rescued After Wandering Streets In Ocean City
Baby Seal Rescued After Wandering Streets In Ocean City A Jersey Shore animal rehabilitation center rescued a baby seal after it was seen wandering around an Ocean City neighborhood. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) said it first received a call about the grey seal pup at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7. After coming ashore, it was spotted on West Avenue between 42nd and 43rd streets. The male seal then went through a backyard and along a sidewalk before moving into the middle of 42nd Street. Witnesses told MMSC that "he had a close call with a car" on 42nd. An Ocean City police officer blocked traffic as the pup continued down the …

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by Chris Spiker
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Malnourished Baby Seal Rescued After 400-Mile Journey To Jersey Shore Malnourished Baby Seal Rescued After 400-Mile Journey To Jersey Shore
Malnourished Baby Seal Rescued After 400-Mile Journey To Jersey Shore An Atlantic County animal rehabilitation center is helping a baby seal recover after it was found on a beach in Monmouth County. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center said a male grey seal pup was first seen resting on a beach in Sea Bright late in the afternoon on Thursday, Jan. 11.  The seal was observed overnight and after staying on the shore through the morning, he was brought to the rehab center in Brigantine on Friday, Jan. 12. The stranding center said he's believed to be four or five weeks old since he still had white fur from his birthing coat. His eyes were also irritated from…

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by Chris Spiker
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Seal Bitten By Shark Rescued In NJ Beach Town: Officials Seal Bitten By Shark Rescued In NJ Beach Town: Officials
Seal Bitten By Shark Rescued In NJ Beach Town: Officials A one-year-old seal is recovering after he was bitten by a shark on Christmas Day in Surf City on Long Beach Island. When Marine Mammal Stranding Center, based in Brigantine, arrived on the scene, they said they found the yearling suffering from a large laceration on his left hip and wounds on his abdomen and around his tail. The seal was transported to the center for medical treatment and staff administered fluids and flushed out his wounds, MMSC said. He is currently on oral and topical medications to prevent infection and is resting in intensive care, MMSC said. 

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by Sam Barron
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Upside-down, Dead Whale Wedged In NJ Marina Upside-down, Dead Whale Wedged In NJ Marina
Upside-down, Dead Whale Wedged In NJ Marina A dead whale was found wedged upside-down between a breakwater and bulkhead in Middletown, authorities said. The 20-foot-long Minke whale was confirmed to be dead at Leonardo State Marina, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. The tide was dropping, making the whale inaccessible to equipment to recover it, the center said.  MMSC staff with the assistance of the Middletown Township Public Works Department will be on scene on Thursday, Oct. 19, to begin recovery efforts with the next high tide. At that time, the whale will be moved to a nearby location for a necrop…

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by Jon Craig
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Twice Rescued Whale Turns Up Dead Near Island Beach State Park Twice Rescued Whale Turns Up Dead Near Island Beach State Park
Twice Rescued Whale Turns Up Dead Near Island Beach State Park A minke whale that was stranded twice in two days in Barnegat Bay has died, authorities said. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center said in a Facebook post that the whale had died late Thursday, Oct. 5 and was towed to Island Beach State Park. On Friday morning, Oct. 6, the whale was transported from Island Beach State Park to a different location on the mainland so a necropsy could be conducted, the MMSC said. The 22-foot minke whale was seen swimming a mile from an inlet before sundown on Tuesday, Oct. 3, the MMSC said on Wednesday, Oct. 4. "The whale died late yesterday (Thursday) and was…

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by Jon Craig
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Stranded Whale Rescued, Twice, In Jersey Shore Bay Stranded Whale Rescued, Twice, In Jersey Shore Bay
Stranded Whale Rescued, Twice, In Jersey Shore Bay A whale that was stranded twice in two days in Barnegat Bay was rescued and was spotted swimming safely away from the Jersey Shore on Tuesday, Oct. 3, authorities said. The 22-foot minke whale was seen swimming a mile from an inlet before sundown on Tuesday, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said on Facebook on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The stranding center (MMSC) was notified about the whale on Sunday, Oct. 1. It was stranded on a sandbar in shallow water near Conklin Island in Barnegat Bay. With help from the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit and Sea Tow, MMSC’s stranding team was able t…

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by Jon Craig
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Tragic Cause Of Death Released For Humpback Whale That Washed Up On NJ Beach Tragic Cause Of Death Released For Humpback Whale That Washed Up On NJ Beach
Tragic Cause Of Death Released For Humpback Whale That Washed Up On NJ Beach The cause of death has been released for the humpback whale that washed up on a New Jersey beach last weekend. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center said a necropsy showed the 27-foot-long male found on a Long Branch beach Saturday, Aug. 12, suffered blunt force trauma his his head and neck.  The whale is believed to have been struck by a boat — the second for this particular whale: A severed fluke blade was documented in 2022. "Additional findings from the examination confirmed that the animal had been feeding on fish prior to its death," the MMSC said. Dead humpback whale in Long Bran…

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by Cecilia Levine
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Dead Humpback Whale Washes Up On NJ Beach Dead Humpback Whale Washes Up On NJ Beach
Dead Humpback Whale Washes Up On NJ Beach A dead humpback whale was found floating along a New Jersey beach this weekend. The whale's carcass washed up along the shores of Long Branch on Saturday, Aug. 12, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. Dead humpback whale in Long Branch Aug. 12.Michael McKenna Marine Mammal Stranding Center Dead whale we are reporting on today. Unfortunately, we will have further updates of dead whales at other beaches. Dead Humpback Whale, Long Branch. 8/12 Posted by Save the Dolphins and Whales NJ on Saturday, August 12, 2023 With the support of Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (A…

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by Cecilia Levine
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8 Dolphins Stranded At Sea Isle City, All Now Dead 8 Dolphins Stranded At Sea Isle City, All Now Dead
8 Dolphins Stranded At Sea Isle City, All Now Dead Eight dolphins became stranded in Cape May County and all of them are now dead, authorities said. Two of the dolphins apparently washed up on shore deceased. The other six were later put to death, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. The MMSC said, at 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, that the remaining six dolphins were assessed by the center's veterinarian and their conditions were rapidly deteriorating.  "The decision was made to humanely euthanize the dolphins to prevent further suffering, as returning them to the ocean would have only prolonged their inevitable d…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Latest Whale Death Due To Fractured Skull, Propeller Wounds: MMSC Latest Whale Death Due To Fractured Skull, Propeller Wounds: MMSC
Latest Whale Death Due To Fractured Skull, Propeller Wounds: Mmsc The latest whale to wash up on the Jersey Shore died of a blunt strike to the head with propeller wounds, experts said. A necropsy was performed on the 30-foot humpback whale on Friday, March 3, in Seaside Park The whale washed ashore on Wednesday, March 1. Although the animal was fairly decomposed, teams were able to determine that she was a female, in good body condition, and document several internal and external injuries, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said on Facebook. "These include bruising on the head, sections of fractured skull, and sharp force trauma consistent with propelle…

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by Jon Craig
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Another Dead Whale Washes Up Along Jersey Shore Another Dead Whale Washes Up Along Jersey Shore
Another Dead Whale Washes Up Along Jersey Shore The Marine Mammal Stranding Center was investigating the yet another dead whale that washed up along the Jersey Shore. The whale was still floating nearly a half-mile off of Seaside Park at about 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1. A MMSC spokeswoman said whale experts were en route to the sighting of the dead humpback whale. A necropsy is typically carried out to determine the mammal's cause of death, and center officials assist in the whate's removal/burial once it beaches. A video of the floating whale was posted on Instagram by Seaside Park police.

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by Jon Craig
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Seal Stops Traffic On NJ Highway Seal Stops Traffic On NJ Highway
Seal Stops Traffic On NJ Highway A wayward Grey seal pup stopped traffic along Route 35 in Brick, authorities said. Brick police found a seal trying to cross the busy highway on Monday, Feb. 27, Police were able to stop traffic and safely allow the seal to cross, they said.  The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, which responded with a volunteer and technician, said it's not the first time a seal has tried to cross Route 35 due to the close proximity of both the bay and ocean. On Tuesday afternoon, the healthy seal pup was released back into the wild, the center said. "Thank you to all of the drivers who pulled over …

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by Jon Craig
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Dolphin Euthanized After Washing Up On Jersey Shore Days After 3 Others Die Dolphin Euthanized After Washing Up On Jersey Shore Days After 3 Others Die
Dolphin Euthanized After Washing Up On Jersey Shore Days After 3 Others Die A fourth dolphin in less than a week washed up on the Jersey Shore, but unlike the others that died after their struggles last weekend, this one was euthanized, officials said. Marine Mammal Stranding Center volunteer photographer Michael McKenna launched his drone, and with the assistance of Monmouth County Park Rangers and the New Jersey State Police Marine Division began an aerial search for stranded dolphins on Wednesday, Feb. 22 in Atlantic Highlands. One male Common dolphin was located approximately 150 yards from the pier, hidden by vegetation, around a bend along a narrow embankmen…

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by Jon Craig
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Marine Mammal Stranding Center Investigates 8th Dead Whale To Wash Up On Jersey Shore Marine Mammal Stranding Center Investigates 8th Dead Whale To Wash Up On Jersey Shore
Marine Mammal Stranding Center Investigates 8th Dead Whale To Wash Up On Jersey Shore The Marine Mammal Stranding Center was investigating the eighth whale to wash up on the Jersey Shore this year. A center spokeswoman said whale experts were in Manasquan on Tuesday, Feb. 14. A necropsy is typically carried out to determine the mammal's cause of death, and center officials assist in the whate's removal/burial. The dead whale was first spotted by Manasquan residents on Monday.

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by Jon Craig
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Baby Seal Stranded On Jersey Shore Migrated 400 Miles From Maine Baby Seal Stranded On Jersey Shore Migrated 400 Miles From Maine
Baby Seal Stranded On Jersey Shore Migrated 400 Miles From Maine A month-old gray seal pup is recovering after being found on the beach in Avalon in Cape May County, officials said. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) said the pup was still covered in his white birthing coat after being discovered at the 48th Street beach. He weighed just 36 pounds, or about 60 to 70 percent underweight for his age. He's believed to have migrated 400 miles from "pupping grounds" in Maine. It's the fourth seal to wash up on the Jersey Shore this year, "This little pup likely did not learn how to eat on his own after being weaned from his mother," the MMSC said on…

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by Jon Craig
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Whale Suffered Tragic Accident Before Washing Up On Jersey Shore, Experts Say Whale Suffered Tragic Accident Before Washing Up On Jersey Shore, Experts Say
Whale Suffered Tragic Accident Before Washing Up On Jersey Shore, Experts Say A 32-foot whale had been actively feeding and was in good condition before she washed up last week on the Jersey Shore with blunt-force injuries, leading experts to believe she had been struck by a boat. The female whale found on the North End Natural Area in Brigantine on Thursday, Jan. 12, "suffered blunt trauma injuries consistent with those from a vessel strike," the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said citing results of a necropsy.  "Injuries and hemorrhaging were observed on the head and thoracic region, as well as along the right side and the pectoral fl…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Dead Whale Washes Up On Atlantic City Beach — Again Dead Whale Washes Up On Atlantic City Beach — Again
Dead Whale Washes Up On Atlantic City Beach — Again A dead, 30-foot humpback whale washed up on an Atlantic City beach blocks away from where another had washed up last month. Someone spotted the carcass near Florida Avenue and Boardwalk Hall around 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7. Residents in Atlantic City woke up to a gruesome discovery on their beach Saturday morning. A beached whale was... Posted by Real Brigantine on Saturday, January 7, 2023 The Marine Mammal Stranding Center was immediately notified and took samples. The whale was moved to the boardwalk around 12:30 where it will be buried pending the necropsy.

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Dead Whale Found Under Dock Of Abandoned Jersey Shore Home Dead Whale Found Under Dock Of Abandoned Jersey Shore Home
Dead Whale Found Under Dock Of Abandoned Jersey Shore Home A dead whale was found under the dock of an abandoned home, authorities said. It was reportedly a 30-foot juvenile humpback whale. State troopers from the Marine Services Bureau North Wildwood Station responded to the report of a deceased whale in the Hereford Inlet in North Wildwood, Cape May County on Sunday, July 10. When troopers arrived, they located the whale under the dock near the Grassy Sound Marina.  Members of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center arrived and determined that the whale should be removed from the area in order to provide for safe vessel traffic, State Police sa…

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by Jon Craig