Dead Whale To Be Buried On Beach

Officials plan to bury the dead humpback whale that washed up on East Atlantic Beach on Tuesday morning near where it was found. But some residents are worried what that could mean for the health and safety of the beach.

The 30-foot-long female humpback whale was first discovered Tuesday morning in East Atlantic Beach by members of Gotham Whale, a local organization that catalogs and monitors whales in New York's waters. Members of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society performed a necrospy today to determine the cause of death, but it will be a while before the results are in, officials said.

Officials plan to bury the whale carcass high up on the beach once the necropsy is completed, which the AMCS says is a common practice. But residents on Facebook were concerned when they learned of the plan. many were concerned what a decomposing whale would mean for the health and safety of the beach. Residents were concerned that dogs or kids that dig on the beach would unearth the rotting carcass, and that the smell would ruin the beach. They were also concerned about what other type of wildlife would come because of the carcass.

However, the AMCS says those fears are unfounded. "Burial on the beach is the most natural way to dispose of a deceased whale, and is the primary disposal option for whale carcasses around the country," the organisation said in a joint statement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. "This has been an effective means of disposal for more than 40 years, and the whale stays contained on the beach."

AMCS said that the carcass is buried high up on the beach, near the dunes, to guard against erosion. It said it is also highly unlikely that anything that leaks from the body will affect the health of residents, or attract sharks, which some residents were concerned about.