Researchers were both surprised and thrilled to find a baby right whale, previously unreported, swimming alongside its mother near Quebec’s coast.
The North Atlantic right whale calf, weighing in at an impressive 6,804 kilograms, had managed to escape the keen observations of scientists who meticulously monitor the populations of endangered species.
This unexpected sighting occurred in September off the coast of Anticosti Island.
“I have to admit, I was initially a bit doubtful,” remarked Amy Warren, a scientist at the Anderson Cabot Center of the New England Aquarium, during an interview with As It Happens host Nil Kӧksal.
However, Warren and her team diligently verified the sighting by identifying the mother and matching the calf’s unique markings with those of other documented whales.
This unexpected addition raises the count of newborn right whales from the latest birthing season to 24, marking the highest number recorded for the species since 2009 and the fourth largest in history, according to the aquarium.
“This year certainly brings a wave of hope and optimism,” Warren stated.
Warren notes that researchers studying North Atlantic right whales often struggle to find reasons for optimism.
With only 380 individuals remaining globally, as reported by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the population has declined by 25 percent from 2010 to 2020. Presently, there are approximately 70 females of reproductive age.
This decline is partly attributed to warming ocean temperatures pushing these whales out of safe habitats and into areas where they face significant risks of collisions with large vessels and entanglements in fishing equipment.
“Witnessing these whales endure traumatic experiences can be incredibly challenging. We document their scars and injuries and spend considerable time discussing and analyzing these issues,” Warren explained.
“Thus, seeing these calves, especially in such numbers, is … truly uplifting.”
Trend or anomaly?
The outlook might be improving. Since 2020, North Atlantic right whales have seen a slight increase in their numbers, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and this year’s surge in calves has scientists feeling cautiously optimistic.
However, Warren cautions that it is premature to conclude whether this represents a genuine upward trend or merely an isolated incident.
“It’s possible they have found more abundant food sources or better feeding grounds,” she noted.
“We hope that the conservation efforts being implemented by researchers and management are proving effective. Yet, it’s difficult to assert that with absolute confidence.”
Videographers Heather MacAulay and Chris Murphy captured an extraordinary sighting on September 1 when they encountered a North Atlantic right whale near Blackhead Cove, N.L. Although critically endangered, there are hopeful signs indicating a potential stabilization of their population.
The new calf is the offspring of a whale named Silt, who is estimated to be at least 38 years old and has now given birth six times.
“She is an experienced mother,” Warren commented. “Having last given birth in 2022, the timing for her to have a calf this year is quite favorable.”
Technically, right whales can give birth every three years; however, in practice, Warren explains, they usually wait between five to ten years.
Nonetheless, she notes, that interval appears to be decreasing.
“This year, we observed that the average gap for females was closer to five years, while a decade ago, it was about ten years between births,” she stated.
How did this calf remain undetected?
These elusive marine mammals typically give birth in the southeastern U.S. during the winter before migrating northward to New England and Canada for feeding. Scientists closely monitor their population, extensively photographing and cataloging them according to their unique head patterns.
Warren indicates that calves are usually easy to spot, as they are still mastering swimming and have limited breath-holding capacity.
“Mothers and calves often remain near the water’s surface, making them more visible,” Warren mentioned.
“Thus, it is quite remarkable and rare that this mother-calf duo managed to travel from their birthing area all the way to Canada and nearly back without being detected by any surveys during their journey.”
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The mother and calf were observed by researchers from the Mingan Island Cetacean Study, a non-profit organization based in the coastal Côte-Nord region of the province.
“This illustrates how vast the ocean is and how easily these animals can become lost,” remarked Richard Sears, founder and director of Mingan Island Cetacean Study.
Warren, on her part, remains hopeful that this sighting is indicative of a more promising future for North Atlantic right whales.
“That is the aspiration,” she concluded. “However, we will see how it unfolds in the coming years.”