First North Atlantic Right Whale Calf of the Season Dies After Vessel Strike

The first North Atlantic right whale baby born this season has tragically passed away after colliding with a vessel, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported on Monday. This heartbreaking incident marks a devastating start to the year for one of the world's most endangered large whale species, bringing them perilously close to extinction.

Injury Discovery and Severity

NOAA was first alerted to the injured calf's condition on January 6, after it was discovered off the coast of Edisto, South Carolina, just three days prior. Videos revealed that the calf had sustained "several propeller wounds on the head, mouth, and left lip," consistent with a vessel strike. Initial assessments suggested that the vessel responsible may have been between 35 and 57 feet long. Surprisingly, no whale strikes had been reported in the area during the time of the calf's injury.

Potential Impact on Nursing Abilities

Experts believe that the calf's ability to nurse, vital for the first year of a whale's life, may have been compromised due to the severity of its injuries. NOAA expressed hope upon discovering the calf with its mother on February 1, as it appeared to have successfully nursed. However, their optimism was short-lived as a dead calf, identified as the same one, was later found heavily scavenged by sharks on Georgia's Cumberland Island National Seashore. Although the sex of the calf remains unknown, its unique injuries and markings confirmed its identity.

Mother and Calf

The calf was born to a 38-year-old whale known as Juno, the first North Atlantic right whale to give birth this season. The heartbreaking loss of the calf has deeply impacted the whale conservation community, particularly as the North Atlantic right whale population has been experiencing a distressing trend since 2017.

Impact on the Endangered Species

The North Atlantic right whale population is alarmingly low, with an estimated 360 individuals remaining, and fewer than 70 reproductively active females. Tragically, over 20% of the species has been affected by an unusual mortality event since 2017, with a significant impact on their already endangered status. The series of deaths has outstripped the birth rate, further endangering the species.

Cause of Mortality and Ongoing Threats

Vessel strikes and entanglements continue to pose significant threats to the survival of North Atlantic right whales. The whales' proximity to major ports makes them particularly susceptible to vessel collisions, while over 85% of the population has been entangled in fishing gear at least once. Chronic entanglements are believed to contribute to the decrease in female calving.

Devastating Reflections

Greg Reilly, a southeast marine campaigner for the International Fund for Animal Welfare, lamented the loss of the calf, stating that human activities have pushed the species to the brink of extinction. Kathleen Collins, senior marine campaign manager for the IFAW, expressed the heartbreak felt by the conservation community, highlighting the slow, agonizing death suffered by the calf.

These distressing developments have underscored the urgent need for increased efforts to protect and conserve the North Atlantic right whale, before it's too late.