Blue Whales confirmed in N.Y.

Researchers from Cornell University's acoustic department positively identified the presence of the blue whale off Long Island Sound. The recordings of the whale were captured in January. This evidence will hopefully be used to further protect the extremely endangered blue whale.

The blue whale is the largest animal on earth. Its primary food source consists of shrimp like animals such as krill. Those living in the southern hemisphere can reach lengths between 90-100 feet while those in the northern hemisphere typically reach lengths between 75-80 feet. Over hunting, as usually, has brought this creature to the brink of extinction. Only an estimated 5-10,000 blue whales are left in the southern hemisphere and only 3-4,000 are in the north.

The fact that the blue whale has wondered so close to the eastern coast gives reason to believe that those remaining may be expanding to areas it normally never visited. Or this could simply have been a case of a "passing through" scenario. Regardless of the reason, the blue whale should be protected by our fullest capacity and continuing research must be done to learn about its current behavior.