Kimberly Durham of the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation says the whale was spotted Thursday morning at Smith Point County Park beach in Shirley.
Durham says a forensic examination is being conducted to determine a cause of death. She says the whale shows signs of advanced decomposition, requiring an internal examination.
Durham says finback whales have been spotted off eastern Long Island frequently in recent months.
By Ruchi Singh
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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