Humpback Whale Spotted Beneath Bklyn Bridge in Rare East River Appearance

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In an unexpected spectacle, a humpback whale made a rare visit to the East River on Monday, delighting onlookers near the Brooklyn Bridge. This marks the first time in two years that the majestic species has ventured into these waters, as reported by The New York Post.

Danielle Brown, director of research at Gotham Whale, explained to The New York Post that while humpbacks are more commonly seen along the ocean coastline, their occasional forays into the river aren’t entirely unheard of. “It’s much, much more common to see them in the ocean along the coastline. We have only had rare cases of them moving into the river, but it does happen,” Brown noted. The sighting occurred around 4 p.m., with a single photograph capturing the whale’s tail slapping against the river’s choppy surface, framed by the iconic Brooklyn Bridge in the background.

According to The New York Post, the humpback also reportedly swam through the Buttermilk Channel, the narrow waterway between Governor’s Island and Red Hook. This passage lies about 40 miles from the whale’s typical feeding grounds along Rockaway Beach. Brown suggested that the whale may have been on the hunt for food, as the East River is known to harbor Atlantic Menhaden, a staple of the humpback diet, as well as other fish like white perch, striped bass, and flounder.

“The whales will follow fish wherever they need to go. So sometimes that does mean heading north into the river, and it does seem to happen this time of year,” Brown explained to The New York Post. Despite the rarity of such sightings, she emphasized that the phenomenon, while uncommon, is not completely out of the ordinary. The last humpback spotted in the East River was in 2022, and before that, another was seen in the Hudson River in 2020.

Brown shared with The New York Post that dolphins have also been observed in the Hudson River, underscoring the potential for marine life to venture into the city’s waterways. “There have been a lot of dolphin sightings in the Hudson River over the years, so we do know it’s possible for these species to move in that direction, but of course, it’s always a surprise — especially when it comes to these whales,” she said.

Unfortunately, the single image of Monday’s visitor provided no discernible identifying features, making it impossible to determine the whale’s exact age or size. However, Brown estimated, based on past sightings, that it was likely a juvenile measuring between 25 and 35 feet in length. As of Monday afternoon, there have been no further reports of the whale, though it is possible the creature is still exploring the waters beneath the Brooklyn Bridge.

The New York Post highlighted the potential risks such an urban environment poses to a whale. Brown urged anyone who spots the marine giant to report it to Gotham Whale, both to monitor its behavior and to alert local fishermen sharing the waterways. “There’s a lot of risks to a whale in that area,” Brown said to The New York Post. “So we’re hoping this whale is going to be safe. We’re hoping that people are watching out for it when they’re on their boats in the area.”

For now, the unexpected visit serves as a vivid reminder of the richness and unpredictability of marine life, even in the bustling heart of New York City. As Brown told The New York Post, these encounters offer invaluable opportunities to study these remarkable creatures and their movements.