A young humpback whale washed ashore in Long Beach on Monday morning — with authorities now working to determine why it died, according to police.
“Early this morning, a juvenile humpback whale was discovered washed ashore at Roosevelt beach,” Long Beach police said in a Facebook post. “The City is in contact with our Federal and State partners. A necropsy will be performed later this morning followed by burial.
“Please avoid the area to allow the various agencies to conduct their work.”
The whale, which is an estimated 30 feet long, has already started to draw gawkers, according to a post on X by News12 Long Island reporter Kurt Semder.
The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society said the whale is one of several who have washed up on Long Island beaches in recent weeks, including a minke whale that washed up in Oyster Bay over the weekend, according to a Facebook post.
Another humpback washed up in Napeague on Dec. 17, the group added.
There is an ongoing investigation into the increased number of minke whale deaths since 2017,” the society also said in a recent post on Facebook.
“If you come across a sick, injured or deceased whale, dolphin, seal or sea turtle, it is important to report the animal to the NYS Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Hotline at (631)- 369-9829.”