Whale found dead at Lido Beach in Nassau County
LIDO BEACH, Nassau County (WABC) -- A male humpback whale that washed ashore on Long Island is at least the 10th whale to be stranded in less than two months on Atlantic Ocean beaches.
The whale was found Monday morning at Lido Beach West Town Park in Lido Beach in Nassau County.
The 35-foot-long, several-ton mammal washed up overnight and was dead by the time crews arrived.
Crews in the Town of Hempstead used construction equipment to pull the carcass out of the water and away from high tide.
"The lines were snapping so much weight because it was buried a little deep there, so it was hard to get it done," said town supervisor Don Clavin.
The animal showed no obvious signs of trauma, but those with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, based in Hampton Bays, will make the final determination.
"Never seen anything like it in my life," Lori McNab, of Long Beach, said.
"I hope they find a good burial site for the whale and they do all the scientific work needed, so that we can continue having whales in this part of the country," Gerry Meyerson, of Lido Beach, said.
A necropsy will determine the cause of death.
"I hope they find a good burial site for the whale and they do all the scientific work needed so that we can continue having whales in this part of the country," said Gerry Meyerson.
Last month, a 30-foot whale washed up in Rockaway Beach.
And since December, at least 10 whales have been stranded on beaches in New York and New Jersey -- with the majority being along the Jersey Shore.
Two weeks ago, another whale was found dead on the New Jersey shoreline. That whale appeared to have been struck by a vessel.
The whale was a 32-foot, 7-inch female estimated to weigh about 12 tons and was apparently in good condition judging by the thickness of its blubber, the center said.
SEE ALSO: Yet another dead whale washes ashore in New Jersey, this time in Brigantine
Some lawmakers have called for a temporary pause in ocean-floor preparation work for offshore wind projects in the two states. New Jersey's governor said he doesn't agree with that idea. Most of New Jersey's environmental groups called an association between the deaths and the offshore wind work "unfounded and premature."
The center also said there are currently a lot of large whales in waters off New Jersey, likely attracted by small fish they feed on that are also attracting stripers or striped bass. Officials urged boaters to travel slowly (less than 10 knots) and keep an eye out for whales.
SEE ALSO: Environmental activists demand investigation into whale deaths at the Jersey Shore
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