This heartbreaking footage shows a young sperm whale dead on Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York - despite beach-goers desperate efforts to save it.
The animal was spotted struggling in shallow water yesterday morning (13/12) when bystanders reportedly attempted to help the whale back into the deeper water.
But the stricken mammal, believed to be a female sperm whale, measuring around 32ft long and between the ages of three to five, died later that day.
New York City officials and members of the Atlantic Marine Convastion Society responded to the scene.
The video, shared by Instagram page @looponline, shows the deceased whale lying on the beach, with what appears to be blood around its head, surrounded by caution tape.
The filmer can be heard saying he was at the scene to ‘pay respects’ to the whale, before pouring his beer onto the sand.