Ailing whale washes ashore at New York City beach
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
A responder walks past a beached whale, still alive, in the Breezy Point neighborhood on Dec 26, 2012 in the Queens borough of New York City. Breezy Point was especially hard hit by Superstorm Sandy. Rescuers believe the whale will not be able to be saved. -- PHOTO : AFP / GETTY IMAGES / MARIO TAMA
NEW YORK (AP) - An ailing, endangered finback whale has been found washed ashore in a coastal enclave of New York City that was hard hit by Superstorm Sandy.
Emergency workers and marine biologists responded to a report of a 18m whale that was stranded on the bay side of the Rockaways, Queens. Biologist Mendy Garron says it's unclear what caused the whale to beach itself, but its chances of survival appear slim.
She says the whale isn't moving around much and "looks very compromised." Garron says biologists are waiting for the tides to subside to determine what to do next.
The neighbourhood of Breezy Point is still recovering from the October storm that caused serious flooding and a fire that destroyed 100 homes.
