Now this is the news we like to see. Too often, I write about animals on the brink of extinction, so it is nice to write about one that is finally making a comeback. Despite the odds that have been stacked against them, the world's rarest whale species appears to be making a comeback. Experts are "cautiously optimistic" about the population growth.
World's Rarest Whale Species Is Making A Comeback
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In case you didn't know, the North Atlantic right whale is the world's rarest whale species. Their numbers have been in steady decline for years, mainly due to vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. However, things are starting to look up for this species. People Magazine reported that "The North Atlantic right whale population estimate has increased by 2.1% between 2023 and 2024." While 2.1% may not seem like a massive jump, it has experts excited.
Perhaps they are excited because any growth is a great sign when numbers are so critically low. The outlet shared that the 2024 population estimate was 384, a 2.1% increase from the 2023 estimate. This increase in population could be due to more awareness surrounding this species. As previously mentioned, the main threats to this species are vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. In their 2024 report card, the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium shared some exciting news.
Why This Species Is On The Rise
How is it that the rarest whale species is making a comeback? Simple, we are killing them less and less. They share that "in 2024, five right whale mortalities were detected." Granted, that is more than the past few years, but it is still dramatically less than the higher years, such as 2017, where at least 12 were harmed. The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium also shared the cause of death for those five individuals.
"Causes of death were determined to be vessel strike for three animals, entanglement for one, and one carcass was unretrievable and so a cause of death could not be determined."
While we are happy to hear their numbers are improving, we need to be more careful when out on the water. The strikes mentioned above were just those that resulted in mortality. The report card also mentions that three other documented strikes did not result in mortality, but did injure the whale. "All injuries consisted of shallow (2-8cm penetrating depth) propeller cuts." Furthermore, "All three whales are being actively monitored for wound healing and health impact assessments."
So far, in 2025, there have been no reported North Atlantic whale deaths. Additionally, fewer injuries have been reported. Furthermore, North Atlantic right whale calf numbers appear to be on the rise as well. May this year turn the tide in favor of the North Atlantic right whales. If we work together, we can truly make a difference and help save these beautiful creatures.
