Community Corner
Decomposed Whale Washes Up In Southampton
The whale had evidence of shark bites, the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society says.
SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A deceased whale was found floating in the water near Gibson Lane in Southampton Friday night, experts said.
According to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, a call came in at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The whale beached around 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning, AMCS representatives said.
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The whale is a female fin whale, between 40 to 50 feet in length; fin whales are commonly seen around and near New York waters, experts said.
The whale had evidence of shark bites, but no other signs of injury had immediately been found. In addition, the whale was fairly decomposed, and had initially been sighted floating approximately 9 miles off Shinnecock Inlet on Tuesday, AMCS representatives said.
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On Saturday morning, a team of AMCS biologists and volunteers arrived at the site to meet with the Southampton bay constable, Southampton Town trustees, representatives of the Shinnecock Nation, and the Sagaponack mayor to assess the situation and determine a plan for a necropsy, the AMCS said.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cleared the area to confirm shorebirds would not be affected by the necropsy and operations; the necropsy was slated to begin at 2 p.m. and took several hours to complete.
The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society conducted the necropsy from 3 p.m to 5:15 p.m. The whale was buried onsite.
'There was evidence of traumatic injuries that need to be further investigated. Samples have been sent to a pathologist to confirm possible causes of death. The shark bites observed were from likely scavenging after the whale’s death. Results may take several weeks to come back. The whale, which was very decomposed, is believed to have been a mature female," a release from AMCS said.
AMCS wants the public to know that the animals are federally protected; the public should remain 150 feet away from the whale at all times.
"It is dangerous to get closer, especially with an animal of this size," the AMCS said.
Photo courtesy of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society.
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