ORCHARD BEACH — The minke whale that washed up on Orchard Beach Sunday suffered from chronic pneumonia and severe weight loss, according to a group of marine experts.
The juvenile 15-foot female whale was euthanized around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday after officials were unable to save the creature and determined that euthanasia was the most humane decision.
#HappeningNow #NYPD #Harbor & #ESU personnel are trying to assist a stranded whale in the vicinity of Orchard Beach. pic.twitter.com/bKVGarFqog
— NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) April 23, 2017
Pathologists from the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, the Bronx Zoo and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai conducted a necropsy on the animal Monday showing the whale suffered from pneumonia and weight loss.
The disease made the whale weaker and more lethargic, to the point where it was not able to sustain itself, according to AMCS Chief Scientist Robert DiGiovanni Jr.
Tests are now underway to determine how the animal contracted pneumonia, but the results may take weeks to arrive.
