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Minke Whale Found Dead On Long Island Beach

A 12-foot long minke whale weighing in at 2,000-pounds was found dead on a Long Island Beach on Wednesday night. Experts believe the whale to be three years old. The cause of death is presently being investigated by experts performing a necropsy.

Rob DiGiovanni of the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation informed Fox 5/WNYW that the whale was found at Robert Moses State Park during Wednesday night. Evidence of shark bites were located on the body of the whale but investigators state that the bites are not conclusive proof of the cause of death as the whale may have been attached after its death.

DiGiovanni reported that the whales body contained “evidence of scavenging” but that further investigation and analysis was required to proof a cause of death with other possibilities including disease or a ship strike.

The animal does have evidence of scavenging. It does appear that they were after the animal died, but we also have taken samples to look and see if that might have been before the animal’s death.

Minke whales are notoriously difficult to spot because of their comparatively smaller stature and size. They also tend to spend a shorter amount of time near the surface of the water, as reported by CBS New York

Minke whales are known to be common around Long Island and a humpback and a True’s beached whale also recently washed up around the Long Island area. A shark was also recently found on Jones Beach, not too far away from where the minke whale was sited.

The recent sitings of beached animals have left local swimmers concerned. Marine biologists have urged locals to keep an eye out for other animals and to exercise caution when entering the water. Lifeguards routinely parade the area. Anyone who sees an animal or person in danger is advised to contact park police or lifeguards and a 50 yard distance is recommended.

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