Community Corner
Whales Spotted Swimming And Playing In Water Off Jones Beach
WATCH: Labor Day beach goers were treated to a rare sight as the whales splashed and breached close to the shore.
Lots of people went to the beach on Labor Day. But a few at Jones Beach on Monday were treated to a rare sight as a small group of whales were seen swimming and leaping -- or breaching -- out of the water off Long Island's most popular beach.
There were three whales, which officials believe were pilot whales, swimming about 1,000 yards off shore, Newsday reported. They were spotted near the beach's central mall.
According to George Gorman, the state parks deputy regional director for Long Island, there were several factors that could account for the rare sighting, including the warm water, cleaner ocean waters and larger numbers of fish close to sure, he told CBS.
Find out what's happening in Wantagh-Seafordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
I’ve been coming to #jonesbeach for 40 years. Never saw a whale in the ocean until today. pic.twitter.com/yNoEtSCVUn
— Mark La Monica (@LaMonicaMark) September 3, 2018
Pilot whales are found in ocean waters all over the world. They grow to be about 20 feet long, and typically live for 45 to 60 years.
Photo: Michael Nitzschke/Shutterstock
Find out what's happening in Wantagh-Seafordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
