A North Pacific right whale was spotted off the coast of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia on June 9th, 2013. The sighting is raising hopes the nearly extinct species is surviving.
“When we realized what we were looking at, we were in a state of disbelief” said James Pilkington, a Fisheries and Oceans Canada biologist. “I never thought I’d see a North Pacific right whale in my lifetime, let alone have the opportunity to study it over several days. I was ecstatic!”
The North Pacific right whales were numerous in the mid-1800’s but hunting took its toll on the population. Whalers favoured these large baleen whales because of their size, they move slowly and float when killed.
In 1930 the International Whaling Commission officially protected the species and in Canada they are now listed as Endangered.
Soviet whaling fleets continued to hunt the North Pacific right whale into the late 1970’s. Experts believe they are fewer than 50 remaining.
The North Pacific right whales live long but have low reproductive rates. Department of Fisheries and Oceans scientists followed the whale for a total of 17 hours in early June.They took scat samples for DNA tests that will provide more information, as to what gender the mammal was, and how old.
The North Pacific right whales live long but have low reproductive rates. Department of Fisheries and Oceans scientists followed the whale for a total of 17 hours in early June.They took scat samples for DNA tests that will provide more information, as to what gender the mammal was, and how old.
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