ATLANTIC CITY – Marine Mammal Stranding Center officials confirmed that the beached whale that washed up on the beach in Atlantic City tested positive for Morbilli virus, according to a report on NBC 40.
According to the report, the Morbilli virus has been named as the cause of death for 135 dolphin deaths in New Jersey in the past year and officials are concerned that a new outbreak may occur this year.
Officials told NBC 40 that it is rare to find the Morbilli virus in large whales. They are waiting for test results for two Bottlenose dolphins that recently washed up dead. The report does not indicate where these dolphins were found.
Officials are still investigating the graffiti found on the beached whale, which washed ashore May 1. According to earlier reports, the graffiti was said to be Greek letters from the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity.
A spokesman for the fraternity released the following statement May 2:
On May 1, 2014, the letters of Tau Epsilon Phi appear to have been used in a reprehensible act in which a deceased whale was vandalized in Atlantic City. While we don’t know if any of our members were involved, we have been in contact with the authorities and have offered our assistance in their investigations. This act is in direct contradiction with our mission statement and our teachings of friendship, chivalry and service, and we wholeheartedly condemn it.
The investigation is ongoing.
For previous coverage, go to:
– Feds Investigate Graffiti on Dead Whale Found on Beach: http://goo.gl/0QcDny.
– Dead Whale Found on Beach, Spray-Painted With Graffiti: http://goo.gl/gwdWRv
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