A cruise ship made a somber entrance into the Port of Brooklyn in New York City, with a 44-foot endangered sei whale discovered across its bow. The whale was found when the MSC Meraviglia docked at Brooklyn before continuing its journey to ports in New England and Canada.
Upon arrival, marine authorities were alerted to the situation, and an examination of the whale is currently underway. The cruise line expressed deep sadness over the incident and emphasized their commitment to following regulations aimed at protecting marine life, including adjusting routes to avoid collisions with whales.
The deceased whale was later moved to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, for further investigation. A necropsy, similar to an autopsy for animals, was performed on the whale to determine its cause of death. Biologists will analyze samples collected during the necropsy to ascertain whether the whale was already deceased before the ship's impact.
Sei whales, known for inhabiting deep waters far from coastlines, are among the largest whale species and are internationally protected. The discovery of the dead sei whale serves as a reminder of the importance of marine conservation efforts and the need to safeguard these majestic creatures in their natural habitats.