Endangered dead whale found trapped in bow of cruise ship towed to New Jersey

A dead whale caught in the bow of a cruise ship in New York City last weekend has been towed to New Jersey so experts can examine the remains.

The 44-foot-long sei whale was found in Brooklyn Harbor on Saturday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. The cruise ship was not identified by NOAA Fisheries of New England and the Mid-Atlantic.

The whale was towed ashore at Sandy Hook to allow better access to heavy equipment and resources to conduct a necropsy, which was conducted Monday, NOAA said.

Sei whales are critically endangered and are usually seen in deep waters away from shore.

The autopsy will determine whether the whale was caught in the bow of the ship before or after its death.

Boaters are encouraged to report any sightings of injured, entangled or dead whales.

To report marine mammal and sea turtle strandings in the Northeast, call NOAA’s Stranding Hotline at 866-755-6622 to be directed to trained emergency responders.

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Jeff Goldman can be reached at [email protected].