'Lethargic' Whale Washes Up On Jersey Shore Beach

CAPE MAY POINT, NJ — A whale was euthanized Tuesday after washing up on the shore at Sunset Beach, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said.

The whale was initially believed to be dead when it was first spotted in Cape May Point at about 2:10 p.m., the stranding center said, but first responders confirmed it was still alive and stranded dry on the beach with the outgoing tide.

The animal, an 18-foot long Minke whale, was examined by the center's stranding team and veterinarian.

It was lethargic, in thin body condition and congestion was heard in its lungs, according to center officials. It was determined that the whale's prognosis was "extremely poor" and was unlikely to survive.

"The impact of stranding on cetaceans (dolphins and whales) is traumatic as their body weight and organs are normally supported by the water around them," center officials said. "When a cetacean is stranded for any length of time, their own body weight causes crushing damage to their internal organs, which lessens their chances of survival."

The decision was made to humanely euthanize the whale.

Cape May Point officials helped to secure the whale's carcass and a necropsy will be performed Wednesday. More information will be shared when available.

According to Marine Mammal Stranding Center data, seven whales stranded in 2024 as of Oct. 4. Some were too far decomposed to determine a cause of death. Others showed signs of entanglement or infectious disease.