Dead Humpback Whale Found In South Jersey River

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center was called to the Cohansey River in Cumberland County when a humpback whale washed ashore.

The whale is the same one that was spotted about three weeks ago in the Delaware Bay. Bob Schoelkopf of the MMSC said it was unusual to see a humpback whale in those waters, and it appeared to have an injured flipper. The cause of death is unknown, but Schoelkopf said the flipper injury is unlikely the reason the whale died. Schoelkopf said most of the whale's body is still under water, but markings on the tail confirmed it was the Delaware Bay whale.

Because of its location, officials were unable to perform a necropsy to determine the cause of death. There are currently no plans to remoe the 30-35' long, 8-10 ton animal.

NJ.com has pictures of the animal, provided by local crabber Ed Hymer.

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