LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ – A 6′ 5″ long dolphin was found dead on the beach in Long Beach Township on Monday. The discovery was made in the area of Connecticut Avenue.
Officials from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center conducted a necropsy and have released preliminary details.
“Externally, the dolphin had rake marks and bruising on its abdomen,” the agency said today. “Necropsy findings indicate the cause of death was pneumonia. Bacteria were present in the lungs, and swabs were taken to investigate further. Tracks of parasites were also found in the brain. The dolphin had bruises on its abdomen, which indicated that the animal was alive and thrashing when it first stranded on the beach.”
Investigators did not find any evidence of blunt force trauma, such as that caused by a vessel strike. MMSC said the dolphin was in good nutritional condition, however no food was present in the stomach or intestines.
Additional samples were taken but lab results could take weeks or months.