Record Right Whale Births

Right whales have plenty to celebrate this Mother's Day - the sea moms gave birth to a record 39 calves this spring. The New England Aquarium said Friday that breaks the old record of 31 and shows much improvement from 2000, when only one calf was born. Each birthing season is important because right whales number fewer than 400 and are among the most endangered whales in the world. Having a calf is no easy task for the whales, who give birth off the Florida and Georgia coasts. The moms travel nearly 1,000 miles down the East Coast to warmer waters for their babies, who weigh roughly 2,400 pounds at birth. And the moms can lose up to 30,000 pounds in the first year they are nursing.

(Associated Press)

Right Whales Born 2009 Sets Record

Scientists have counted 39 right whale calves born this year off the southeast coast. That breaks the previous record of 31 set in 2001. According to a story in the New York Times, this is first time in centuries things are looking up for the right whale. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Georgia’s Wildlife Trust intensely monitor the mammals. They say the numbers show conservation efforts have a large impact. Recent changes in shipping practices seem to be preventing large vessel collisions with the whales, and fishing regulations are reducing the amount of whales caught in nets. The mammals have long been protected by the international community. The League of Nations made it illegal to hunt them in 1935 after they became extinct in European waters. Scientists guess roughly 300 to 400 remain.

Right Whale Freed Off Georgia Coast

A two year old right whale calf ensnared in fishing gear off the Georgia coast is free. Federal and state workers successfully cut the synthetic ropes to free the whale, entangled since mid January. Rescue efforts last month were frustrated by choppy seas. The rescue Thursday took more than four hours. Only about 350 to 400 North Atlantic right whales remain, putting them among the most highly endangered of all whales.