The most endangered of all the big whales, right whales travel most winters to warm shallow coastal waters to give birth in their only known calving grounds. But few have come this year. Only one, maybe two calves have been confirmed. Researchers are worried. The number of Northern right whale calves born has been going down steadily, scientists say.
Scientists are certain that all right whale calves that are born are born here.
It is estimated that there are only 300-350 of the Northern right whales left. A related species, the Southern right whale, is doing better. One mother-calf pair has been confirmed this year off Georgia. A calf was also spotted off Charleston, said Chris Slay, a whale researcher from the New England Aquarium. It is unclear if there are two calves or one calf seen in two places.