Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale Found Dead, Calf Missing

The death of the whale, first seen in 1989, marks the 40th known mortality in an ongoing unusual mortality event affecting the species.

An endangered North Atlantic right whale, first spotted in 1989 and known as #1950, was found dead off the Virginia coast, with its most recent offspring missing.
The whale's death marks the 40th known mortality in the ongoing unusual mortality event (UME) impacting North Atlantic right whales since 2017.
The population of North Atlantic right whales has plummeted 35% over the last 13 years, with an estimated 356 individuals remaining.
Conservationists warn that 2024 is poised to be one of the deadliest years for right whales, urging for science-based regulations to prevent extinction.
Boat strikes and entanglements in fishing gear, alongside climate change, are identified as the biggest threats to the survival of right whales.