Conservationists are hopeful as the annual North Atlantic right whale calving season in the southeastern United States has ended with 23 babies born. This is the most successful calving season since 2009 and the fourth highest number of calves born on record.
Scientists at the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life observed the whales using aerial surveys and are excited by the number of mother-calf pairs this year.
Although 23 doesn’t seem like many, experts believe there are only around 380 of these whales left on Earth. Every calf that survives to adulthood improves the outlook for these critically endangered whales.
The experts also spotted other positive signs that could mean the small and vulnerable population is on the up. “While a healthy right whale can give birth every three to four years, we had been seeing nearly 10 years between calves for some females,” says Amy Warren, scientific program officer in the Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center, in a statement.
“Many of this year’s moms have had shorter intervals – 18 of them previously gave birth within the last six years – giving us hope that they may be healthier and can help grow the population faster,” she adds.
Some of the females are first-time mums: Callosity Back, Mirror and a currently unnamed whale (number 4610) have welcomed their first calves. The latter two of the three are 10 years old, which is the typical age that researchers expect these whales to start having babies.
Juno and Ghost have also celebrated the pitter patter of tiny fins. Both of these females are more than 40 years old and have already had multiple calves.
- 10 of the world’s rarest whales and dolphins
- Why do whales breach? 6 theories behind their spectacular aerial shows
The team collaborates with other experts to manage a database of sightings, which helps them understand more about the lives of these endangered animals.
The mothers and their babies are now heading north as part of their migration. According to the researchers, at least 18 of the 23 pairs have already been seen in Massachusetts.
- Giant squid detected in deep-sea canyon off coast of Australia
- Whale vs dolphin: what exactly is the difference?
Although these new arrivals are good news, there’s still a long way to go. The population faces threats from human impacts, such as entanglement and vessel strikes and there have been more fatalities than usual recorded since 2017 (something known as an Unusual Mortality Event).
“It is hopeful to see 23 new calves born this year,” says Warren, “but their survival into adulthood is still a long journey ahead in an ocean with many dangers and obstacles.”
Top image: North Atlantic right whales. Credit: New England Aquarium
More wildlife stories from around the world
- Scientists record world's longest underwater timelapse. What is reveals is astonishing
- Robot sent deep into Atlantic Ocean. Its mission? To investigate the largest animal migration on Earth
- Crab wanders through Suez Canal into Mediterranean Sea. Now scientists are worried
- Scientists attached satellite tags to sharks. What they recorded was unexpected
