Whale That Washed Up In Lavallette Necropsied, Buried

LAVALLETTE, NJ — A minke whale that washed up on the beach in Lavallette on Friday showed signs of an infectious disease affecting multiple organs, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.

The center, in an update posted to its Facebook page, said staff from the center along with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and Cornell University performed a necropsy on the whale on Saturday to try to determine its cause of death.

The whale, which washed up near Newark Avenue early Friday, was an adult and was 17.5 feet long, center staff said.

The whale was thin and there was no food found in the digestive tract, the staff said. "Evidence of inflammation in multiple organs consistent with infectious disease was documented."

There were biological samples collected and they will be sent for microscopic analysis for disease, the center said. The results will be shared by the center when they become available.

After the necropsy, the whale was buried on the beach in Lavallette.

"We would like to thank AMSEAS and Cornell University for their assistance during the necropsy," the center said. "Thank you to our dedicated MMSC volunteers for mobilizing quickly on short notice to assist MMSC Stranding Staff with the necropsy efforts."

"We would also like to thank the following agencies for their support during the recovery and necropsy operations: Boro of Lavallette Department of Public Works, Lavallette Police Department, and the NJ Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officers," officials said.