A whale sighting in New York City's East River near the Williamsburg Bridge created a buzz among onlookers Monday evening. The U.S. Coast Guard verified the event, though the specific type of whale, whether a humpback or the more endangered North Atlantic right whale, remains unconfirmed.
Videos circulating online capture the whale's blowhole spouting near the bridge at sunset, accompanied by the surprised reactions of witnesses. The whale was also reportedly seen near the Brooklyn Bridge.
Gotham Whale, a local marine life tracking organization, described the sighting as unusual. While humpback sightings are more frequent, over 80 North Atlantic right whales were observed off Long Island this summer. Gotham Whale's research director, Danielle Brown, indicated uncertainty about the whale's current location, acknowledging the possibility it remained in the area amidst the holiday activity.
Brown estimated dozens of humpbacks currently swim off the New York and New Jersey coasts. Coincidentally, Gotham Whale reported a mother humpback and calf swimming in shallow waters near Spring Lake, New Jersey, on Sunday, urging boaters and the public to maintain a safe distance, especially given the vulnerable weaning period for calves.
This isn't the first whale sighting near New York City. A humpback was observed in the Hudson River in 2020, attracted by small fish. Sadly, the area also experiences instances of dead humpback whales washing ashore, with 13 recorded between December 2022 and February 2023.
A separate incident involving a mother whale and calf was also reported near Spring Lake, NJ.
