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Whale Carcass Gets Tagged After Washing Ashore in New Jersey

It's believed that the markings are the Greek letters of a fraternity with strong local ties.

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Complex Original

A dead whale that washed ashore in New Jersey was suspiciously tagged with a fraternity logo, authorities say.

According to the Associated Press, a Minke whale between 12 and 15 feet in length appeared below Atlantic City's Central Pier on Thursday. Apparently, police actually explored the possibility that the foreign, purple markings were gang-related:

As the Associated Press notes, the letters appear to be the Greek letters for the fraternity Tau Epsilon Phi, which has chapters at numerous local schools, as well as their headquarters in Vorhees, N.J.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center notes that the whale had been dead for days when it was discovered, adding that there were no signs of trauma.

[via Associated Press]

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