An injured minke whale attempted to beach itself at Orchard Beach last Sunday.
Spectators and specialists were on the scene Sunday, April 23 as emergency responders attempted to free the distressed 10-foot mammal stranded in the Bronx Riviera’s shallow waters around noon.
The NYPD’s Harbor and Emergency Services units and a marine specialist used straps to keep the animal in the water until reinforcements arrived.
The Riverhead Marine Foundation was called in to evaluate the young minke whale’s status.
The whale was euthanized despite efforts by EMS, first responders and good Samaritans to push the whale back into deeper water.
An autopsy will be performed to determine if the whale was sick.
