Humpback whale swims through New York’s Hudson River, sparking online buzz

A humpback whale was seen swimming in New York’s Hudson River on Thursday, the Guardian reported. The sighting triggered a flurry of posts on social media, with Manhattan borough president Brad Hoylman‑Sigal among those who shared a photograph on Facebook. The image, taken on Thursday morning, was supplied by Gotham Whale, a citizen‑science and education group that monitors marine mammals in the city’s waterways. The Guardian added that sightings of the species are becoming increasingly common, while experts warn that busy waterways pose a danger to the animals.

Why it matters

The incident highlights growing encounters between large marine mammals and heavily trafficked urban rivers, raising safety concerns for both wildlife and navigation.

Key details

Location

United States · Americas

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

13 Nov 2026, 02:23 IST

Key names

York’s Hudson River, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Manhattan, Facebook

Section

Environment

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianBe sea-ing you: humpback whale spotted in New York’s Hudson River 13 Nov, 02:23

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

Spotted an error? Request a correction · How this summary was produced