PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A New Jersey official says a beached whale, found on Long Beach Island on Sunday, was likely hit and killed by a ship.
Examiners found evidence of impact from a large object on the right side of the animal, as well as several large bite wounds.
They believe a collision with a ship killed the fin whale several days ago, and then sharks fed on its body until it washed ashore.
The 54-foot carcass landed on the northern end of Long Beach Island, near 19th and 20th avenues. It was quickly buried there.
This is the second beached whale found in the region in as many weeks. A 50-foot fin whale was spotted in Lewes, Delaware, last week. Experts said illness, rather than ship impact, caused its death.