12/04/2024
On March 30, shared heartbreaking news of the passing of North Atlantic right whale #1950, a cherished adult female who recently welcomed her sixth calf into the world. Tragically, she was discovered lifeless off the coast of Virginia, her calf nowhere in sight and unlikely to survive.
Following a thorough necropsy, initial findings revealed a devastating dislocation of the whale’s spine and fractures to all vertebrae in the lower back—clear indicators of a fatal vessel strike.
With fewer than 360 North Atlantic right whales remaining, the loss of every reproductively active female and calf is a blow to the species' survival. Mother-calf pairs are particularly vulnerable to vessel strikes, as they spend most of their time near the water's surface and are challenging to detect.
This loss underscores the urgent need for action. The Biden administration must swiftly implement the proposed vessel speed rule to protect these majestic creatures and secure their future. Join us in calling on NOAA to take immediate action to safeguard North Atlantic right whales. Visit awionline.org/saveNARWs to lend your voice to this critical cause.
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📷: Images provided by Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (under NOAA permit #24359)
