
LONG BEACH (1010 WINS) -- A dead humpback whale washed up on Long Beach Friday and marine experts are warning residents to keep their distance from the giant sea creature.
"The public should keep a distance of 150 feet from the animal at all times. Though deceased, in its location and condition it could still be unsafe," the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society said on Instagram.
Whales can suddenly explode after they die. This is caused by methane building up in their decaying bodies.
According to Newsday, the Department of Environmental Conservation, Town of Hempstead, City of Long Beach and U.S. Coast Guard were monitoring the whale Friday night.
It was first seen floating near the SS Oregon shipwreck last week and washed ashore near Laurelton Boulevard Friday afternoon, Newday reported.
Officials were deciding whether to remove or bury the whale after a necropsy was performed.
The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society told Fios1 that it doesn't appear the whale's death was human-related but that it could take months to know for sure what killed it.