Overview

• An endangered North Atlantic right whale calf is expected to die after being struck by a boat propeller, causing severe injuries to its head, mouth, and lip.
• The calf's mother, Juno, is one of fewer than 70 breeding females left in the species, raising concerns about the future of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.
• Since 2008, at least 14 right whales have been struck by vessels in U.S. waters, leading to death or serious injury.
• Human activities, particularly vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, are the leading causes of death among North Atlantic right whales.
• Efforts to reduce boat speed limits and implement enhanced regulations to protect the species have been unsuccessful so far.