Rare whale found dead in Ocean County

ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK, NJ -- The body of a rare Blainville’s beaked whale was found near Island Beach State Park just south of Seaside Park in Berkeley Township, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said Wednesday.

It’s only the second time in more than four decades the center has come across a whale of this species, said founding Director Bob Schoelkopf.

For several days, the dead whale floated in the back bay behind Island Beach near wetlands, Schoelkopf said.

“Sunday we moved it over to Island Beach State Park,” he said. “It was in very difficult waters.”