Blue whales found near N.Y., off their usual path

[May 29, 2009]  ITHACA, N.Y. (AP) -- There's a monster lurking off the coast of New York. Experts in a Cornell University acoustics program said Thursday that blue whales have been positively identified in the area for the first time.

The sound of a blue whale was recorded about 70 miles off Long Island in January. A second one was recorded farther away.

Blue whales wander all the world's oceans but normally are found in much deeper water hundreds of miles offshore.

Program director Christopher Clark says the discovery will guide conservation decisions, help protect the endangered animals from ship collisions and reduce noises that interfere with their communication.

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On the Net:

Cornell Bioacoustics Research Program:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp/

[Associated Press]

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