January 13, 2026 — Eighteen North Atlantic right whales have been born so far this calving season according to the New England Aquarium — an increase from the 11 born last year.
Amy Warren, a scientific program officer and whale expert with the New England Aquarium, says those are sturdy birth numbers for the endangered species, whose entire population is estimated to be 384 individuals.
While calving season typically lasts from mid-November to mid-April, Warren says that in recent years, most right whale calves have arrived in Southeast waters in December and January.