Humpback whales in New York City?!
Incredibly, yes.
New York has been working hard for years to help our harbor recover from the damage pollution and waterfront industry wreaked since the Industrial Revoltion. Well, that hard work at conservation has paid off.
In December 2020, a Humpack Whale the size of a school bus was spotted frolicking near The Statue of Liberty. In fact, whale watching (and excursions meant to spot other wildlife like seals and shore birds) have become popular lately.
Part of the reason whales and other large sea creatures are making a comeback is the return of food sources. Look at this massive fish - a partially eaten feast of some other large sea creature - which has caught my dog's curiosity! (I wouldn't allow her to eat this Striped Bass remnant - no matter how hard she tried).
Visitors to New York may spot a Seal or two sunning themselves on the rocks ( no, you're not in San Francisco - these seals are really here in Gotham, hard as that may be to believe). A trip to Coney Island or Jones Beach may afford you the delight of seeing Dolphins spinning in pods just past the waves, and a seining in The East River with the team from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Center has turned up Sea Horses, Crabs and all manner of fish.
Wonderful efforts like The Billion Oyster Project are helping to reintroduce the bi-valves to our aquatic ecosystem - these tasty delacacies were a huge 18th Century export from New York City to the Kings and Queens of Europe.
We even have magical, enchanted fish of mythical proportions dancing at the shore's edge! The Seaglass Carousel is a beloved (somewhat) new addition to Battery Park, right at the southern end of Manhattan, near the harbor's shore. Even landlubbers can find love for these harbor beasts!
