Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding a mutilated dolphin found dead on a New Jersey beach last week.
The animal, a common dolphin, appeared to have been "butchered" when “partial remains” turned up Wednesday on a beach in Allenhurst, according to a statement Friday from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a federally authorized rescue, rehabilitation and release organization for marine mammals in New Jersey.
“The animal’s flesh had been completely removed with clean cuts from a sharp instrument, leaving only the head, dorsal fin and flukes,” the statement said. “The animal’s organs, except for the heart and lungs, had been removed.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is investigating, according to the stranding center.
The night before the grisly discovery, a common dolphin was reportedly struggling in the surf a block away, according to the stranding center. Witnesses said the dolphin was able to make it over a sandbar and swam out to sea. It is not known whether the dolphin that was butchered was the same animal, the stranding center said.
The animal’s carcass was taken to the stranding center and “thoroughly” photographed and documented, the group said.
The remains were buried on the beach, the stranding center said.
Allenhurst is about 45 miles east of Princeton, New Jersey.
