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An investigation has been launched by federal authorities into the “butchered” remains of a dolphin that were recently discovered in New Jersey.

Dolphin Remains Found

On November 1, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in New Jersey published a statement on social media detailing how the remains were found near Allenhurst, New Jersey. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center is a New Jersey organization that handles reports of dead or stranded marine animals.

“On Wednesday October 30th the Marine Mammal Stranding Center responded to a very disturbing call. The partial remains of a dolphin had been discovered on the beach at Allen Ave. in Allenhurst, NJ. When our Stranding Coordinator arrived, he found a Common dolphin that appeared to have been butchered,” the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said in a post on social media.

“The animal’s flesh had been completely removed with clean cuts from a sharp instrument, leaving only the head, dorsal fin and flukes. The animal’s organs, except for the heart and lungs, had been removed,” the statement added.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center statement noted that the case of the dolphin remains is currently under investigation “by the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement.”

“The public is asked to call MMSC’s 24-hour hotline if they have any information about this case (609) 266-0538,” the statement said.

Witnesses

According to the statement from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a witness also noticed a “live common dolphin” that appeared to be “struggling in the surf,” roughly one block away from where the dolphin remains were found.

“Witnesses reported that the dolphin was able to make it over the sandbar and swam back out,” the statement said.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center noted that it is currently unclear if the dolphin seen struggling was the same animal as the recovered remains.

“The dolphin’s remains were brought to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center to be thoroughly documented and photographed by MMSC staff. The carcass was buried on the beach,” the statement said.

Stranded Dolphins

Over the summer, more than 100 dead dolphins were recovered after washing up along the coast in Russia.

A total of 137 of the Black Sea variety have been found lifeless in the Krasnodar Territory and Sirius region, with over 101 stranded in just the last week alone, dolphin rescue and research center Delfa said in a statement posted to Telegram.

“This is a serious figure,” said the rescue center, which has a hotline “bursting with calls every day.”

Many of the dead dolphins have “obvious signs” of being victims of bycatch, which is when mammals are harmed after becoming tangled in fishing nets.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

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