Whale Found Dead Near Jones Beach: Cause Of Death Remains Mystery

WANTAGH, NY — Animal conservationists have performed a necropsy on a humpback whale that was found dead near Jones Beach. The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society sent teams to the 30-foot whale carcass Monday afternoon after it was spotted less than two miles off shore near Jones Beach.

The group completed its necropsy of the animal Tuesday afternoon, but couldn't say for certain how it died. The whale had a full stomach, but also had some lesions in the stomach and large intestines, a spokeswoman for the group told Patch in an email. Samples have been sent to a pathologist for further testing, she said. Those results could take several months to return.

This was the eighth large whale incident of the year, the group said.