Young Humpback Whale Dies After Stranding Off Long Beach Island, New Jersey

A young 29-foot humpback whale stranded on a sandbar near Long Beach Island, New Jersey, was found lethargic, emaciated, and bearing propeller strike wounds on both sides, severely impacting its ability to feed. Despite efforts by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the Coast Guard, and Sea Tow of Atlantic City to rescue and humanely euthanize the whale, beach erosion from a recent nor'easter and tidal conditions prevented timely removal or euthanasia. Sedatives were administered to keep the whale calm overnight, but it was found dead the following morning. The whale, identified as NYCO476, had been previously observed in poor health in the New York Bight with healing propeller injuries. Officials expressed deep sadness over the loss, noting the difficulty in saving stranded whales who often suffer internal injuries from their own weight while stranded. Recovery and investigation efforts have been complicated by environmental factors and a federal government shutdown.