First Right Whale Calves of the Season Spotted

The first North Atlantic Right Whale calf of the season was spotted off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina.

A boater noticed the calf and it was later confirmed by Carolina officials, creating quite an excited stir. Danielle Kessler, U.S. director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, said, “This sighting is especially important as it comes after recently released data revealed an alarming 8% population decline for this critically endangered marine mammal over the previous year, again putting the species on the precipice of extinction. The population now stands at only 336 individuals.”

This is important news as the right whale species have been slowly declining for years, with their calves per season also going down dramatically.

Scientists off the coast of Georgia also made a startling discovery when they found that an entangled right whale had given birth. 

The whale had been spotted towing the fishing lines behind her as she swam with her right whale calf. Because of the situation, scientists decided that it was too dangerous to try to free the mother whale.

This is the second newborn right whale confirmed in the Southeastern U.S during the breeding season. 

The calf is healthy and the mother seems to be doing well, all things considered. Scientists worry that the mother may become weighed down by the ropes, or the calf could become entangled as well. The pair will continue to be closely monitored for any issues or dangers.

Sign this petition to tell Congress: pass the SAVE Right Whales Act!

Related Content

• New Rule on Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales Falls Short
• Conservation Organizations Team Up to Save the Atlantic Right Whale
• Scientists Predict North Atlantic Right Whale Extinction After No Calves Were Spotted – Heres How You Can Help
• North Atlantic Right Whales are Getting Smaller

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