Ailing whale washes ashore at New York City beach
(AP)—An ailing, endangered finback whale has been found washed ashore in a coastal enclave of Queens that was hard hit by Superstorm Sandy.
Emergency workers and marine biologists responded to a report of a 60-foot whale that was stranded on the bay side of the Rockaways. The call came around 10:40 a.m. Wednesday.
Biologist Mendy Garron says it's unclear what caused the whale to beach itself, but its chances of survival appear slim.
She says the whale isn't moving around much and "looks very compromised."
Garron says biologists are waiting for the tides to subside to determine what to do next.
Breezy Point is still recovering from the October storm that caused serious flooding and a fire that destroyed 100 homes.
-
Bloody abrasions are visible on the sunken head of an emaciated 60-foot, finback whale that beached itself in the Breezy Point section of the Rockaways in New York, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012. Biologist Mendy Garron says it's unclear what caused the whale to beach itself, but its chances of survival appear slim. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) -
An emaciated 60-foot finback whale that beached itself in the Breezy Point neighborhood of the Rockaways is shown in New York, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012. Biologist Mendy Garron says it's unclear what caused the whale to beach itself, but its chances of survival appear slim. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) -
Curious onlookers inspect an emaciated 60-foot finback whale that beached itself in the Breezy Point neighborhood of the Rockaways in New York, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012. Biologist Mendy Garron says it's unclear what caused the whale to beach itself, but its chances of survival appear slim. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
