January 30, 2026 — Researchers have spotted 21 North Atlantic right whale calves off the Southeastern coast in recent months, a glimmer of hope for the severely endangered species.
“We’re excited,” said Jessica Thompson, a senior wildlife biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “We have hope that as long as other protections … are in place that these whales will continue to reproduce and give birth to calves and be able to recover.”
The number of mother-calf pairs is the largest identified in 15 years, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. The right whale calving season starts in the middle of November and runs through the middle of April, which means there’s a chance more could be seen.
The number of females and calves is critical. There are roughly 380 right whales remaining, and just 70 of those are females that can actively reproduce. The species also has been experiencing what scientists call an “unusual mortality event” since 2017. This means 20% of its population is sick, injured or killed every year.