Humpback whale found in Rockaways likely hit by ship, official says
A dead humpback whale was found washed ashore on Rockaway Beach on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. Credit: Gotham Whale / Zvi Reisch
The humpback whale found dead Tuesday morning on a Rockaway beach probably was hit by a ship, a spokeswoman for the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society said.
The 30-foot-long whale, which was 2 to 5 years old, had “tissue damage consistent with blunt force trauma,” spokeswoman Rachel Bosworth said. Bruising covered about two-thirds of the 20-ton animal and was “consistent with a vessel strike,” she said.
Researchers performing the necropsy also found “extensive kidney parasites,” which may indicate the animal suffered renal damage.
The whale was found Tuesday at 7 a.m. lying on the beach near 117th Street in Rockaway Park. Earlier, Coast Guard personnel spotted the whale floating 9 miles offshore Monday evening, Bosworth said.
The whale was to be buried on the beach Wednesday.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.
