Female fin whale found dead, decomposed on Long Island beach

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) — A female fin whale has been found dead on a beach on eastern Long Island.

The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society says the fin whale beached about 7:30 a.m. Saturday in Southampton.

There is evidence of shark bites, but no other signs of injury have been found.

The whale appeared to be between 40 and 50 feet (12 and 15 meters) in length. Fin whales are common in the waters off New York.

The whale had been seen floating 9 miles (14 kilometers) south of Shinnecock Inlet on Tuesday. It appears to be fairly decomposed.

A team of biologists plans to conduct a necropsy.