A finback whale washed up on a beach in Queens. (Photo by Ti-Hua Chang)
By TOM HAYS | AP
NEW YORK (AP) --A 60-foot whale was found dead on Thursday after getting stranded on a beach in a coastal enclave of New York City that was ravaged by Superstorm Sandy.
The animal -- part of an endangered species known as finback or fin whales -- was severely emaciated but clinging to life when it was discovered Wednesday stranded on the bay side of Breezy Point. Volunteer firefighters sprayed water on the whale as it sat halfway out of the water.
At high tide, the whale drifted away and out of sight before washing ashore again on Thursday morning, this time having stopped breathing, said Mendy Garron of the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Marine experts later confirmed the animal was dead. They planned to perform a necropsy to determine a cause of death before burying the giant carcass, said Kimberly Durham of the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research.
The experts had given little hope the whale would survive because it appeared to weigh only about 20 to 30 tons -- well less than half normal. The whale appeared to have scratches or streaks of blood on its body, but no signs of serious trauma suggesting it had been hit by a boat.
According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, finbacks average 70 feet in length and 70 tons in weight -- second in size only to blue whales. It also is one of nature's fastest whales, capable of short bursts of up to 35 mph.
The whales were placed on the endangered species list after whaling decimated their numbers in the North Atlantic before a 1987 ban. Some estimates put their current count in the North Atlantic below 2,000.
Experts say the biggest threats to the finbacks are collisions with large ships, entanglement with fishing gear and a depletion of food supply because of overfishing.
Superstorm Sandy caused serious flooding and a fire that destroyed 100 homes in Breezy Point when it struck in October.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:30 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:30:40 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:03:08 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has tried to limit the size of soda consumption, ban smoking in parks, encourage bike riding and now there"s another possible plan on the table: mandate recycling of food waste.
West Side resident Matt Murphy has stored a pail of leftovers on his floor for the last two months. His building is part of the city's food-recycling pilot program. Mayor Bloomberg wants to expand the program citywide.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:36 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:36:36 GMT
Five passengers from a New York bound EgyptAir flight diverted to a Scottish airport over an apparent threat to destroy the aircraft are now seeking asylum in Britain, authorities said.
Five passengers from a New York bound EgyptAir flight diverted to a Scottish airport over an apparent threat to destroy the aircraft are now seeking asylum in Britain, authorities said.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:21:23 GMT
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:02 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:02:34 GMT
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:53:56 GMT
This is the best Father's Day gift that a dad could get: the gift of life. A young father from Queens needed a kidney, and his 55-year-old father donated his.
This is the best Father's Day gift that a dad could get: the gift of life. A young father from Queens needed a kidney, and his 55-year-old father donated his.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:42:53 GMT
A line of thunderstorms caused some damage and street flooding in New Jersey on Thursday, but the threat of longer, widespread heavy rain and flooding in the tristate area has diminished.
A line of thunderstorms caused some damage and street flooding in New Jersey on Thursday, but the threat of longer, widespread heavy rain and flooding in the tristate area has diminished.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:15:30 GMT
Law enforcement officials nationwide are demanding the creation of a "kill switch" that would render smartphones inoperable after they are stolen, New York's top prosecutor said.
Law enforcement officials nationwide are demanding the creation of a "kill switch" that would render smartphones inoperable after they are stolen, New York's top prosecutor said.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:02 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:02:05 GMT
Bargain hunters from around the world flock to Manhattan's Chinatown for bags, jewelry and other accessories bursting onto sidewalks from storefronts along Canal Street.
Bargain hunters from around the world flock to Manhattan's Chinatown for bags, jewelry and other accessories bursting onto sidewalks from storefronts along Canal Street.
A finback whale washed up on a beach in Queens. (Photo by Ti-Hua Chang)
