New England Aquarium Sees Fewer North Atlantic Right Whale Births

The New England Aquarium counted fewer North Atlantic right whale calves than expected this spring, an ominous sign for a species on the verge of extinction. Scientists had hoped to see 20 new calves this year, but observed only 11.

"From December through March, during 'calving season,' right whales and their young can be spotted together in the waters off the Southeastern coast of the United States, where the whales migrate to give birth," the Aquarium said.

"Researchers on and above the water keep an eye out for whale mothers and their calves, a hopeful sight for the survival of these critically endangered marine animals," according to the New England Aquarium website.

The right whales return to the North Atlantic in the spring, where they will spend the summer feeding. The journey north allows the whales to pass the Massachusetts coast, delighting coastal residents and visitors.

Patrick Whittle writes for the Associated Press, "A vanishing species of whale gave birth to few babies this birthing season, raising alarms among scientists and conservationists who fear the animal could go extinct."

Whittle says the protection of the whales is vital as they are "vulnerable to entanglement in marine fishing gear and collisions with large ships."

Scientists estimate there are only 372 North Atlantic right whales left in existence.

The New England Aquarium sees a "bright spot" in that "this year's group included four first-time mothers, and three mothers had relatively short calving intervals of four years between births."

The Aquarium says, "There were no known mortalities of calves, compared to five of the 20 calves born last year."