A humpback whale was stranded on a beach on Long Island (United States) this Monday, January 30. This is at least the eighth time that a cetacean has been found stranded in the region. The animal over 10 meters unfortunately did not survive.
A surprising discovery that has become sadly commonplace. This Monday morning around 6:30 a.m., residents of Hempstead, New York State (USA), discovered a male humpback whale stranded on the sand of Lido beach, south of the city, reports Reuters.
If the news may seem sensational, it has almost become a habit for the inhabitants of the region. In recent weeks, it is indeed the eighth specimen found on the beaches of the States of New York and New Jersey. However, this is the largest observed in more than ten years according to local authorities.
A male humpback whale that washed ashore on Long Island is at least the 10th whale to be stranded in less than two months on Atlantic Ocean beaches. https://t.co/WRLkjt8KKo pic.twitter.com/PA8ZHiNxJJ
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) January 30, 2023
When the rescuers arrived on the spot, accompanied by a good number of curious people, the mammal was already lifeless. He could not be saved.
A still vague death
Due to the high tide, the imposing cetacean was immediately moved to the beach to find out more. The town of Hempstead has planned to install a security barrier around the animal so that many marine specialists can quickly perform a necropsy (autopsy on a dead animal, editor’s note) to determine the cause of its death. The whale will then be buried somewhere on that same beach.
Cindy Zipf, executive director of the association Clean Ocean Action, wondered about the possible responsibility of the wind activity off the coast. She had already alerted the authorities through a press release when another whale was stranded in the same geographical area a fortnight ago. Two environmental groups have even sent a letter to US President Joe Biden asking for an investigation.
Article about the 1/18/2023 press conference held by BOEM and NOAA: https://t.co/puyJ81kA8r#protecttheocean #savethewhales #BOHEMIAN #NOAA #POTUS #GovernorMurphy #NMFS #DEP #NJBPU #offshorewind #sustainability #renewableenergy pic.twitter.com/pmG1qoh1na
— Clean Ocean Action (@CleanOcean) January 19, 2023
A version contradicted by a federal agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which declares to date “that no humpback whale has been killed due to offshore wind activities”.
