Off The Cape, New Whale Calf Creates New Hope Of Species Comeback: Report

CAPE COD, MA — There’s another hopeful sign that one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals might be making a comeback.

An aerial survey by the Center for Coastal Studies has spotted two North Atlantic right whales – a mother and her newborn calf – in Cape Cod Bay, WFXT-TV 25 reported Tuesday.

So far this season, the Provincetown-based scientists have identified seven mother-calf pairs in the bay, including a pair seen in March.

A total of 23 calves have been documented across the entire population, the largest number recorded in 15 years.

Scientists estimate there are roughly 385 North Atlantic right whales left on the planet. Their numbers have been decimated, according to research, by hazards including ship collisions and entanglements with commercial fishing lines.

The whales typically give birth in winter off the southeastern U.S., before migrating to feeding grounds near New England and Canada. Cape Cod Bay is one of the busiest spots for the whales during late winter and early spring.

To read the WFXT coverage, click here.