Rare Pod of Endangered White Whales Off MA Coast Has People Concerned
There are so many reasons to visit the coast, whether you're enjoying a beach day with your dog or soaking in the charm of coastal towns. Some folks even book excursions to see coastal and marine wildlife like dolphins and seals! The ocean is full of mystery and wonder, and there's so much to see.
Many people enjoy whale watching along both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. However, one pod of whales off the coast of Massachusetts has raised concerns among researchers. Marine biologists have been monitoring this pod of rare North Atlantic right whales for an extended period, but it wasn't until they were observed feeding on zooplankton near Cape Cod Bay on April 15 that scientists became worried.
As wonderful as it is to see a healthy pod of endangered whales, researchers are justified in being concerned about the calf seen tangled in fishing debris. According to the Cape Cod Times, this 5-year-old whale calf, called #5110, has been dragging around the fishing gear since December, but they believe it's only a matter of time until the pieces in his mouth trap him or prevent him from feeding himself.
"It's incredible to hear about the right whales spotted off Cape Cod," commented a TikTok user named Lana. Hopefully, the calf gets the help it needs soon. The preservation of these whales is so important."You can say that again! Right whales (not to be confused with the Beluga whale, which is also nicknamed 'white whale') are an endangered species of Atlantic whale with fewer than 400 individuals still alive worldwide. Fishing gear entanglements are the leading cause of death for this rare species, so stories like this one are all too common.
On April 10, the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Massachusetts, was able to remove some of the entanglement around calf #5110. However, the majority of it remains, and it poses a potentially fatal threat to the young whale. Fortunatley, researchers are preparing to approach the calf again as soon as New England weather clears up.
As bittersweet as this sighting may be, researchers' diligence could be the difference between life and death for this endangered calf. Needless to say, the world will be cheering for the best outcome for the calf and his pod.
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