Humpback whale spotted in New York Harbor

NEW YORK, April 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard said a humpback whale was seen swimming in New York Harbor for several hours Thursday.

Coast Guard officers said the first sighting of the whale was reported at about 8 a.m. Thursday near the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and the giant water mammal didn't appear to be injured or distressed, The New York Times reported Friday.

"It's going out toward the ocean," said Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer David Schulein. "We just established a security safety zone."

The Coast Guard said the whale had moved near Coney Island by 1:15 p.m. Thursday and was last seen at 2:24 p.m. in Ambrose Channel south of the Verrazano Bridge. Officials said the whale was heading south when it was last spotted.