Necropsy confirms dead whale found in Newark Bay was a 44-foot endangered sei whale
Sei whales are an endangered species and the third-largest whale species, reaching 40 to 60 feet in length and up to 50 tons as adults, according to the stranding center.
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An endangered male sei whale found floating dead in Newark Bay in early April was 44 feet long and weighed an estimated 15 tons, according to final findings released after a necropsy.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center and the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society said the whale, first reported April 9, underwent a necropsy on Thursday, April 16.
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Officials said no food was found in the whale’s stomach, suggesting the animal had not been eating recently.
Multiple biological samples were collected for further analysis. The results will be posted on the Marine Mammal Stranding Center’s website when available.
The whale was buried on the beach after the necropsy.
Sei whales are an endangered species and the third-largest whale species. They can reach 40 to 60 feet in length and up to 50 tons as adults, according to the Stranding Center. The group said it has responded to four sei whales since 1978.
