Federal authorities investigating after 'butchered' dolphin found ashore New Jersey beach

Federal authorities are investigating after the partial remains of a dolphin that appeared to have been "butchered" were found on a New Jersey beach.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC), a federally authorized rescue, rehabilitation and release facility for marine mammals, responded to a "very disturbing call" on Oct. 30, according to a graphic Facebook post shared by the center on Friday.

When the center's stranding coordinator arrived at the beach in Allenhurst, New Jersey, he found the butchered common dolphin's carcass, the Facebook post says.

"The animal’s flesh had been completely removed with clean cuts from a sharp instrument, leaving only the head, dorsal fin and flukes," according to the center. "The animal’s organs, except for the heart and lungs, had been removed."

Dolphin heard in distress night before gruesome discovery

The night before the animal's discovery, a live common dolphin was reported struggling in the surf on block away, the center said. Witnesses reported that the dolphin managed to make it over the sandbar and swim back out into the water, according to the Facebook post. It is unknown if the dolphin found on the beach is the same dolphin that was heard in distress.

The dolphin's remains were transported to the MMSC to be "thoroughly documented and photographed by MMSC staff," the center said. The carcass was buried on the beach, the Facebook post says.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement will be investigating this incident, according to the center.

NOAA investigating fatally shot bottlenose dolphin

In April, the NOAA announced that it was investigating the death of a bottlenose dolphin whose injuries were "consistent with being shot with a firearm," according to a news release.

The dolphin was found on March 13 on West Mae’s Beach in Cameron Parish, Louisiana after a member of the public reported it, the NOAA said. The Audubon Aquarium Rescue recovered the animal and took it to the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans for a necropsy.  

The necropsy revealed that multiple bullets were lodged in the carcass, including in the brain, spinal cord, and heart of the dolphin, according to the NOAA. The animal died from the trauma, which occurred at or near the time of death, the federal government agency added.

The agency offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to a criminal conviction or possible civil penalty. It is unclear if this case has been resolved or if the agency made any arrests.

Bottlenose dolphins in the U.S. are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act but are not endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.