Stranded humpback whale dies on New York beach

Lido Beach, NY (AP) — A 35-foot humpback whale washed ashore and later died on a New York beach. This is his one of several cetaceans spotted off the coast of New York and New Jersey in the past two months.

The whale was spotted Monday morning at Lido Beach West Town Park on Long Island. Officials said he was still alive when he was found but died shortly after.

The crew used cranes to lift the animals out of the water and keep them from being swept out to sea. Researchers hope to perform an autopsy to better understand what caused the whale to beach itself.

Animals showed no obvious signs of trauma.

Last year, 19 humpback whales ran aground on the Atlantic coast of the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is responsible for the nation’s oceans and fisheries. In the first month of the year, he’s already had seven whales beached from Maine to Florida.