Endangered Sei Whale Found Dead on Cruise Ship Bow

Marine conservationists and government scientists are investigating the mysterious discovery of a 44-foot-long whale carcass found on the bow of a cruise ship as it approached New York’s Brooklyn Harbor. The deceased whale was identified as an adult female sei whale, an endangered species usually found in deep waters far from land. The key question at hand is whether the whale died before or after coming into contact with the ship.

The necropsy conducted on the whale revealed signs of tissue trauma along the right scapular region and a fractured right fin. The gastrointestinal tract was full of food, and samples were taken for toxicological and pathological analysis. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s law enforcement agency is also investigating the incident. The whale’s body was brought into port and towed to New Jersey for further examination.

Sei whales, known for their fast swimming abilities and filter feeding on plankton and krill, primarily inhabit subtropical, temperate, and subpolar seas around the world. They are commonly found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, with summer sightings in certain areas of the western North Atlantic. The investigation aims to determine the cause of the whale’s death and any possible connection to the cruise ship.

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