Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Photos: Poor Porpoise Dies On Beach In Coney Island
By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 1, 2013
Modified Mar 1, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
View all 4
By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 1, 2013
Modified Mar 1, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A little over a month after a dolphin tragically died after washing up in the toxic Gowanus Canal, another sea mammal has died in Brooklyn: a baby porpoise died after washing up on a beach near the Coney Island Boardwalk on Saturday. Photographer Cassandra Giraldo, who shot the photos above, told us: "The dolphin was discovered on the shore by Boy Scouts during their Klondike derby, then reported to the police and animal patrol after a representative at the local aquarium evaluated it."
Brooklyn Daily spoke with Kent Woo, who was organizing that Boy Scouts trip. “It was quite a find,” he told them, adding that the porpoise appeared sick when he found it near Stillwell Avenue around 8 a.m. that morning. A good Samaritan brought the porpoise back to the water in an attempt to get it to swim away. “A half hour passed, then someone walked past and then stripped down to his boxing shorts and took the dolphin out doing the breast stroke,” said Woo.
Alas, it was to no avail—the porpoise was apparently too sick, and was brought back to shore where it died. If you ever come upon any sick animal like this, make sure you call the Riverhead Foundation in addition to NYPD/FDNY—the sooner you call, the better chance the animal has of surviving.
Tagged
animal
brooklyn
coney island
death
dolphin
porpoise
original
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
After being booed at integration forum, NYC chancellor praised by school parent leaders
Recent meetings hint at brewing clashes over education.
By
Jessica Gould
Published Oct 28, 2026 at 2:24 p.m. ET
Lithium-ion battery caused Bronx fire that killed 11-year-old, FDNY says
Officials say the batteries have caused more than 400 fires across the city this year.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
Lithium-ion battery caused Bronx fire that killed 11-year-old, FDNY says
Officials say the batteries have caused more than 400 fires across the city this year.
By
Catalina Gonella
'If this is what you want': East Village board halts vote on Tompkins Square overhaul
By
Willow Higgins
60K runners, 2.5 million fans: NYPD promises tight security for NYC Marathon
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Early Addition: Errol Morris has an Elizabeth Holmes interview in the chamber
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .