Endangered Right Whales Return To Cape Cod Bay [VIDEO]

PROVINCETOWN, MA — The first North Atlantic right whale calf of the season was spotted in Cape Cod Bay on Sunday, April 7. The sighting means the 2019 calves have arrived to their northeastern feeding grounds, according to the Center for Coastal Studies.

The calf was first seen by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in January. It is the third of seven known mother-calf pairs this season.

Researchers say the mother is at least 38 years old and was first seen in 1982. Since then, she has given birth to nine known calves. This is the second calf she has been documented with in Cape Cod Bay.

As of 2018, there were only about 450 North Atlantic right whales remaining. It is illegal to be within 500 yards of this type of whale without a Federal Research Permit. Right whales often feed close to shore, offering views to whale watchers on land.

See drone video of a right whale taken off the coast of Provincetown Sunday:

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my morning walk with fish was extra special today this is one of the ~411 north atlantic right whales left in the world. their population continues to fall due to threats like ship strikes & entanglements. you can help the recovery of these awesome creatures by supporting organizations like @coastalstudiesptown and @whales_org. the future of right whales up to us #makewaves
A post shared by The Original Cape Clasp (@capeclasp) on Apr 7, 2019 at 8:09am PDT

For more information about research programs at the Center for Coastal Studies, please visit www.coastalstudies.org.