Washed up whale died from human interaction, report says

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SEA ISLE CITY -- Humans may be to blame for the dead humpback whale that washed up in Sea Isle on Friday.

A necropsy on the whale was completed Saturday and revealed that the whale was emaciated. According to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, the whale may have been caught in fishing line at some point, causing an injury that left the mammal unable to eat enough.

Officials from the MMSC also said that they believe the whale had been hit by a ship after it had died.

Officials believe that the 20-ton, 33-foot whale was dead in the water for several days before washing up on the beach.

Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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