NYC Whale Appears Out of Danger

NEW YORK - The humpback whale that's been taking a tour of the New York City area has been seen heading back out toward open sea.

Watch the report from Fox 5's Christina Park (video, left).

The Coast Guard says it suspended its safety zone around the giant mammal on Thursday afternoon. The security measure had been protecting the 15-to-20-foot whale from boats — and vice versa.

Marine biologist Robert DiGiovanni says the whale was last seen heading southeast from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, out toward open sea.

He says the animal was observed diving and breaching normally. After making an appearance off Rockaway Beach in Queens Wednesday, it headed for Brooklyn.

Experts say it is not unusual for whales to be in the area at this time of year. But they're usually not this close to shore. 

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