Washed up whale died due to human interaction, officials say

x-default (Jacqueline L. Urgo/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

SEA ISLE CITY, N.J. – Officials believe a whale that washed ashore in New Jersey died due to human interaction.

WCAU-TV in Philadelphia reports that a necropsy on the 20-ton, 33-foot whale revealed it was emaciated.

Officials with the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine say the whale may have been caught in fishing line at some point, causing an injury that left the mammal unable to eat enough. They also believe it was hit by a ship after it had died.

Officials believe the whale was dead in the water for several days before it washed up on the beach in Sea Isle City on Friday afternoon.

The necropsy was completed on Saturday.