North Atlantic Right Whale Numbers May Be Moving Up - Seattle PI

[hatrack]

ATLANTA -- There is growing optimism that the endangered North Atlantic right whale can come back from the edge of extinction.

The new hopes are prompted by observations of the whales in their only known winter calving area, which is off the coast of Georgia and north Florida. Scientists who have been surveying the coastal waters now believe that a previously undocumented group of as many as 17 female right whales has started using the calving grounds. This new group joins another group that has been coming there for years.

"It's amazing to me to think that something as big as these animals - 40 to 45 feet long and weighing perhaps 40 tons - could have escaped detection until now," said Brad Winn, a biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. "But that's part of the mystery surrounding these animals."

It is not clear why the new group has begun showing up at the winter calving ground. But any significant increase in the population helps hold off the possible extinction of the whales, scientists say. Only about 300 North Atlantic right whales are left, making them one of the world's most endangered species. Scientists are also encouraged by the number of right whales born in recent years. So far this season, 13 newborn whales have been seen in Georgia and Florida waters. Only one calf was reported in 2000, leading many researchers then to wonder if the whales had reached the point of no return."

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[zbdent]

1. Watch Rush Limbaugh try to spin this

as even the "endangered species" are going to vote for Bush.

"Right" whales.

[blindpig]

2. this is very good news

now with perhaps 200 years, the collaspe of Oil Civilization and a lot of luck the species will survive.
Hate to be pessimistic but the chances of long-lived, late breeding species that are seriously reduced regaining population sustainibility are slim.
The crimes that our questionably sapient species have inflicted upon other species are reflected in our treatment of our conspecifics.