Three Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales Found Entangled in December

Two of the whales, including a juvenile male spotted off North Carolina, are unlikely to survive, underscoring ongoing threats to the species' survival.

• Three North Atlantic right whales were spotted entangled in fishing gear off the U.S. East Coast this December, with sightings on Dec. 9 near Massachusetts and Dec. 16 near North Carolina.
• Two of the whales, both juvenile males, are critically injured and expected to die, while the third, an adult female, is likely to survive despite compromised health.
• The entanglements highlight the ongoing dangers posed by fishing gear and vessel strikes, the leading causes of injury and death for the species, which numbers fewer than 400 individuals.
• Rescue efforts are complicated by dangerous weather conditions and the challenging nature of disentanglement, with success rates remaining low even under optimal circumstances.
• Conservationists emphasize the need for stronger protective measures to prevent further population decline, as the species continues to face threats from warming oceans and shifting food sources.

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