North Atlantic right whale baby boom continues while species remains at risk

Researchers have documented 21 North Atlantic right whale calves this calving season, while a 2024 estimate put the species' population at 384, keeping the animals at continued risk.

Researchers have documented 21 North Atlantic right whale calves so far this calving season, an unusually large count early in the season. The species' total population was estimated at 384 in 2024, far below its historical numbers. One notable return this season was the whale known as Callosity Back, first seen as a calf in 2007 and now observed as a mother off Florida. Observers say the flurry of births is encouraging but does not remove the broader risks the species faces. Key facts: - Twenty-one calves have been documented during the current calving season, which spans mid-November to mid-April. - An October 2024 estimate placed the North Atlantic right whale population at 384 individuals. - Vessel strikes and entanglements in fishing gear have been major threats; in 2017, 18 right whales died over a six-month period, and responder Joe Howlett was killed while assisting a whale. - Researchers and sighting networks are actively monitoring newborns and tracking identifiable individuals, including Callosity Back. Summary: The higher count of calves offers cautious hope for the species but does not change the overall assessment that North Atlantic right whales remain at risk. Undetermined at this time.