Humpback Whale's Cause Of Death 'Inconclusive'

MORICHES, NY — A deceased humpback humpback whale first spotted floating near Moriches Inlet washed up near Cupsogue Beach County Park Saturday, officials said.

The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society worked with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to tow the deceased humpback whale near shore, with the expectation that it would wash ashore near Cupsogue, AMSEAS said.

On Saturday morning, the whale did make it to shore and the team proceeded with a necropsy examination, taking caution to practice social distancing, a release from AMSEAS said.

The whale was a 32-foot male that was moderately decomposed; it was "a robust animal with a full stomach, showing it had been eating," officials said.

There was some evidence of previous entanglement, orca predation, and healed wounds on the fluke, officials said, adding: "At this time, a cause of death is inconclusive. Samples were taken and sent to a pathologist. Results may take several months to come back."

Remains were buried on the beach, officials said.

During the necropsy examination, shorebird monitors were also onsite to ensure nesting birds, including the New York State endangered piping plovers, were not disturbed.

AMSEAS said the group was thankful to have had support from DEC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration / NOAA Fisheries), Suffolk County parks, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

On Friday, AMSEAS was alerted about the deceased humpback whale floating approximately one mile offshore near Moriches Inlet. The whale was initially reported by the US Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound and a private vessel that called the NYS Stranding Hotline.