Click here for Mobile Site: http://m.wcbstv.com
  • Font Size    
Advertising

World's Most Useless Facts
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

Wayward Whale Wanders Into, Out Of NY Harbor

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +    Comments
Apr 9, 2009 8:17 pm US/Eastern

Wayward Whale Wanders Into, Out Of NY Harbor

Coast Guard Confirms Whale To Be 20-30-foot Humpback, Aids Wayward Animal Back Out To Sea

Reporting
John Slattery
NEW YORK (CBS) ― A whale playing hide-and-seek with the Coast Guard in New York Harbor on Thursday finally returned to the sea shortly after 4 p.m. It's believed to be the same animal spotted near a Queens beach on Wednesday.

A Coast Guard spokeswoman, Petty Officer 3rd Class Annie Berlin, said the whale was discovered Thursday morning in a shipping channel near the Verrazano Bridge.

The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation had a team responding to the scene to assess the condition of the whale.

The Riverhead Foundation is authorized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to respond to marine life sightings.

"Several species of large whales are found off the Mid-Atlantic and even close to shore this time of year, including humpbacks, fin whales, right whales, and minke whales, said Teri Frady, spokesperson for NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service in the northeast.

It was spotted swimming into the harbor, apparently for a look at the sights, and then spent most of the day in the outer harbor -- to the delight of those who could get a look.

It was at around 8 a.m. Thursday when boaters near the Verrazano Bridge notified the Coast Guard that they'd spotted the whale.

In fact, word Thursday afternoon was that the whale was up to 30 feet long, which meant it was an adolescent. The whale was seen swimming back and forth between the Verrazano and the Rockaways, giving the Coast Guard some concern.

"Basically, we're trying to make sure recreational boats and shipping lines are made aware of it and nothing happens to the animal," Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Johnson said.

Marine officials said the whale did not appear to be in any distress, and did not appear to be injured.

From the Rockaways to Staten Island, people were trying to get a look.

"I think it's great. I've never seen a whale and I've lived here on Staten Island my whole life," Joanne Kinsella said.

On Staten Island's south beach, some people came out, hoping to get a look at the wayward visitor.

"I walk the beach often and never seen a whale out here, never. Take a look out there and see if I can see him, sure," Loretta Flaherty said.

It was believed to be the same whale that appeared off Rockaway Beach on Wednesday. The Coast Guard set up a safety zone to protect it from boats and to make sure the boats are out of danger.
 
Twitter

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Add Comment

here. here. Need a log in? Register here
  •  * Will not be displayed with comment
  •  * e.g. (http://www.mywebsite.com)
  •  
  • Click here to refresh with new letters

Show Comments (0)

Close Window Login


Close Window Flag Comment


loading...
You need the latest Flash player to view video content.
Click here to download.

Click here to bypass this detection if you already have the latest Flash Player.

New York Local News

Top News Stories

© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.