Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Dead Dolphin Found On Coney Island
By
Lauren Evans
Published Apr 23, 2013
Modified Apr 23, 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 .
Via Robert A. DiGiovanni Jr.
By
Lauren Evans
Published Apr 23, 2013
Modified Apr 23, 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
Yet another innocent sea creature washed up on the cruel shores of Coney Island today—this one, a dolphin found in a tributary of Gravesend Bay around 3:15 p.m.
Robert DiGiovanni, executive director and senior biologist with the Riverhead Foundation, tells us his staff is currently preparing to transport the animal back to foundation headquarters, so that researchers can conduct a full necropsy to determine its cause of death. He said the dolphin appears to be somewhat decomposed, making it that much more difficult to ascertain what killed it.
One thing DiGiovanni does know, however, is that there are more dead dolphins washing up on shores around New York than there have been in decades prior. "In the last decade, we've gone from around 20 washing up to having 30 or 40 washing up," he said, never mind the excess of marine life struggling to survive in such fetid channels as the Gowanus Canal and East River.
"Are we seeing more because more are sick, or more because there are simply more in the area?" he asked. "These are really good questions."
They're also questions that the Riverhead Foundation might not be able to answer anytime soon. The organization relies heavily on donations, and right now, its rescue program is operating on a deficit of $200,000 annually—and studying dolphin populations ain't cheap. "There are dramatic things going on that we really should be looking at," he said. So we may not be able to fund research to determine why the beaches are suddenly littered with dead animals, but hey! At least the parachute jump has pretty lights now!
Tagged
coney island
dolphins
riverhead foundation
original
Lauren Evans
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
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 .