Researchers were both surprised and thrilled to find a previously unnoticed baby right whale swimming with its mother near the shores of Quebec.
This elusive North Atlantic right whale calf, weighing in at an impressive 6,804 kilograms, had managed to slip past the vigilant observation of scientists who monitor the populations of endangered species.
The discovery was made when the calf was photographed in September near Anticosti Island.
“Honestly, I was somewhat doubtful when I first heard about it,” stated 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 meticulously verified the finding by recognizing the mother whale and matching the calf’s unique markings with records of other identified whales.
This unexpected appearance raises the total number of calves born during the latest birthing season to 24, marking the most prolific year for the species since 2009 and the fourth-highest tally ever recorded, according to the aquarium.
“This year certainly brings a lot of hope and optimism,” Warren expressed.
Warren remarked that those 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, their population saw a decline of 25 percent from 2010 to 2020, with only about 70 known females of reproductive age existing today.
This decline is partly due to rising ocean temperatures driving these whales away from safe habitats into areas where they are particularly susceptible to collisions with large vessels and entanglement in fishing gear.
“Witnessing these whales endure traumatic experiences can be really challenging. We document their scars and injuries, and we spend considerable time discussing these issues,” Warren explained.
“Therefore, seeing these calves, especially in such numbers, is incredibly uplifting.”
Trend or anomaly?
There may be a positive shift underway. Since 2020, North Atlantic right whales have shown signs of population recovery, as noted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the surge in births this year has led scientists to feel cautiously hopeful.
However, Warren cautions against prematurely concluding whether this is indicative of a sustained increase or just a one-off occurrence.
“It’s possible they have found better feeding grounds. That could certainly be the case,” she noted.
“We want to believe that the protective measures being implemented by researchers and management are making a difference, but it’s difficult to assert that with any certainty.”
Videographers Heather MacAulay and Chris Murphy captured a remarkable sight on September 1 when they observed a North Atlantic right whale off the shores of Blackhead Cove, N.L. The species is critically endangered, but there are encouraging signs indicating a potential stabilization in their population.
This latest calf belongs to a female named Silt, who is estimated to be at least 38 years old. This marks her sixth calf.
“She is quite an experienced mother,” stated Warren. “She last gave birth in 2022, so the timing aligns perfectly for her to have a calf this year.”
While right whales can technically give birth every three years, Warren notes they typically wait between five to ten years in reality.
However, that interval seems to be shortening.
“This year, we observed that the average birthing interval for females was closer to five years, whereas a decade ago it was around ten years between births.”
How did this calf remain hidden?
These elusive marine creatures typically give birth in the southeastern United States during the winter months before migrating north to New England and Canada for feeding, and scientists monitor their population closely, photographing and cataloging them based on their unique head markings.
Warren explained that the calves are generally hard to miss. Being inexperienced swimmers, they struggle to hold their breath for long periods.
“Mothers and calves tend to remain near the surface, making them easier to see,” Warren said.
“Thus, it is quite remarkable and rare that this mother-calf pair managed to travel from their birthing grounds all the way to Canada without being detected by any surveys along the way.”
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The pair was spotted by researchers from the Mingan Island Cetacean Study, a non-profit organization based in the coastal Côte-Nord area of the province.
“This illustrates the vastness of the ocean and how these animals can become lost within it,” remarked Richard Sears, founder and director of the Mingan Island Cetacean Study.
Warren, on her part, expresses hope that this finding signifies a more promising future for North Atlantic right whales.
“That is indeed the hope,” she said. “But we will see how things develop in the coming years.”