Latest news with #necropsy
CBS News
05-08-2025
- General
- CBS News
Necropsy results released after whale struck boat in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center on Monday released the preliminary necropsy of the whale that died in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, after striking a boat over the weekend. The MMSC, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and Cornell University conducted a necropsy, an animal autopsy, on the minke whale that was stranded in Barnegat Bay on Saturday. The whale was 26 feet, 4 inches long and confirmed to be an adult female. The MMSC said the whale's body condition was thin. It also had "superficial cuts" externally and "bruising present in the blubber and muscle in the areas of trauma on the dorsal side." "GI tract was empty with very little digestive material present, and a scant amount of fecal matter," the MMSC wrote. "Lesions were present in the stomach." At the end of the necropsy, the whale was buried on the beach. The MMSC said the other biological samples collected were sent to a pathologist for further analysis. After the whale struck the boat on Saturday afternoon, a passenger went overboard and fell into the Double Creek Channel of Barnegat Bay. No injuries were reported among the boat's passengers.
RNZ News
26-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Dead orca discovered on beach in Christchurch
An adult orca has been discovered dead at a beach in Christchurch. The Department of Conservation (DOC) have called the death "unusual" and said they were at the scene at a beach north of Waimairi along with local iwi and members of Project Jonah. DOC Mahaanui Operations Manager Andy Thompson, said a member of the public alerted DOC to the situation, and due to "challenging" sea conditions the body was unlikely to be moved before Friday morning's low tide. Staff would remain at the beach overnight, Thompson said. "We understand the orca was dead when it was spotted by a member of the public who alerted us. We ask that the public stay away to give staff and iwi the space to respond to this incident." The adult orca was first noticed by a member of the public at a beach north of Waimairi. Photo: DOC / SUPPLIED A vet pathologist would fly down to Christchurch from Massey University on Friday, Thompson said, to perform a necropsy on the orca to try and figure out how the animal had died. "Appropriate tikanga will be followed and the orca will then be buried on the beach," he said. "It's unusual for an adult orca to be found dead in the shallows like this and in good condition. Our national marine team are very keen to find out why the animal has passed away." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
South China Morning Post
12-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
150 dead cats found in Japanese animal welfare volunteer's squalid home
A volunteer at an animal welfare group in Japan has been arrested after about 150 dead cats were discovered at her home in Kumamoto city. Police and animal rescue volunteers found the bodies, some in an advanced stage of decomposition, on Tuesday after they entered the woman's home to investigate a pet owner's complaint to the animal welfare group on May 27. The complainant said she had handed over four of her late mother's pet cats to the suspect, who had promised her regular updates and photos, according to The Japan Times newspaper. When no photos were forthcoming, the woman grew suspicious of the suspect, surnamed Miyata, and demanded the cats back. Miyata allegedly told her one of the cats had been diagnosed with kidney disease, then later said the animal had died. 'When we went to retrieve the body, we were met with a horrifying sight: patches of skin peeled away, limbs caked in faeces and urine, and a barely recognisable body,' the woman wrote in her complaint letter. Around 150 dead cats were discovered in the squalid home of a woman who belonged to an animal welfare group in southwest Japan. Photo: Instagram/Animal Assist Senju A necropsy revealed the cat's stomach was empty, and its skin had likely deteriorated from prolonged exposure to waste and damp conditions. 'Considering it had only been 10 days since we entrusted them, the suffering they endured in that short time is unbearable to imagine,' the woman said.
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Huge 50ft beast from the depths of the ocean washes up on Oregon coast
A 50-foot giant from the depths of the Pacific Ocean has washed up on the Oregon coast. The massive creature - a 53-foot male sperm whale - was found ashore north of about 84 miles west of Portland, its barnacle-scarred body lay battered and still. According to a Facebook post from the Seaside Aquarium in Seaside, Oregon, the sprawling whale washed ashore between Del Rey and Sunset Beach on the afternoon of May 29. When marine experts discovered the beached behemoth, they said its 'spine showed signs of blunt-force trauma and hemorrhaging' consistent with a fatal collision at sea. A necropsy was conducted on Monday by the Cascadia Research Collective, the Seaside Aquarium and Portland State University to help in determining the whale's cause of death. 'During the necropsy, damage to the vertebrate was visible along with signs of hemorrhage. This helped the team determine that this whale was struck by a vessel,' the Seaside Aquarium said. However, the dead whale had been spotted long before it washed ashore. According to the aquarium, the whale was initially reported dead on May 25, around 15 miles offshore. Four days later, on May 27, it was seen again - this time only seven miles from land, according to the Seaside Aquarium. 'The whale will be left on the beach to decompose naturally,' the post added. The natural decomposition process offers a rare chance for beachgoers to witness one of the ocean's giants up close. It also provides a nutrition boost to the surrounding ecosystem. Scavengers such as turkey vultures, bald eagles and even coyotes will have access to the whale's remains for weeks or even months to come. The Seaside Aquarium has since warned onlookers not to touch the giant sea creature. The enormous whale's spine showed signs of blunt-force trauma and hemorrhaging consistent with a fatal collision at sea 'Please remember to look - but do not touch. Marine mammals may spread potential diseases to humans and pets,' the aquarium wrote. Male sperm whales can grow to nearly 60 feet in length and weigh over 40 tons. They are known to live up to 60 years, with males maturing around the age of 50, typically reaching about 52 feet. Their diet includes deep-water species such as squid, sharks, skates, and fish. While their population is slowly recovering, sperm whales remain listed as endangered.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sperm whale hit by vessel, washes ashore near Seaside
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A 53-foot sperm whale, which was struck by a vessel, washed ashore north of Seaside on Thursday afternoon, days after it died, the Sunday. The adult male was first reported dead on May 23 about 15 miles offshore. Four days later, the whale was about 7 miles offshore. Once it washed ashore between Del Ray and Sunset Beach, officials were able to do a necropsy that revealed the whale died after being hit by a vessel. The whale will stay on the beach to decompose and 'provide a nutrition boost to the local ecosystem,' authorities said. The whale will provide food for turkey vultures, bald eagles and coyotes 'for quite some time.' Astoria police wear 'The Goonies' patches in honor of Oregon film's 40th anniversary However, people should stay away from the whale. 'Marine mammals may spread potential diseases to humans and pets,' the Seaside Aquarium said. Though authorities said the whale was an adult male, they did not provide an estimated age. However, these male sperm whales can reach 60 feet and more than 40 tons while living up to 60 years. Males mature around 50 with a length of about 52 feet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
