North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium

The decline of one of the rarest whales in the world appears to be slowing, but scientists warn the giant mammals still face existential threats from warming oceans, ship collisions and entanglement in fishing gear.

The population of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales isn't declining as fast as it was five years ago, but researchers say the latest numbers show the species is still having a tough time surviving and reproducing.

Scientists spotted an endangered right whale dragging a length of fishing rope caught in its mouth as it swam with a newborn calf off the Georgia coast, a rare confirmation of a birth by an entangled whale that experts determined they can't safely attempt to help.

The critically endangered North Atlantic right whale population is continuing to decline, with the estimated number of whales at its lowest level in nearly 20 years.

Confirmation this week that a sixth North Atlantic right whale has died in Canadian waters is devastating for the endangered species because recent growth in the population has been virtually wiped out, a leading whale expert said on Friday, June 28, 2019.

Their names were Glacier, Starboard and Peanut. The colourfully named mammals were among 15 North Atlantic right whales who died off the coast of Canada and the U.S. in recent months.