The First North Atlantic Right Whale Calf of the 2023 Season

The first calf of the 2023 North Atlantic right whale calving season was spotted by a Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute aerial survey team 11 nautical miles east of Ossabaw Island on December 7, 2022.
One of Georgia DNR's boat teams was nearby and collected drone video and a skin sample from the calf for genotyping. The mom, right whale 1208, nicknamed "Medusa," was first sighted in 1981 and is at least 41 years old. This is her 7th known calf.
The North Atlantic right whale is a federally-protected endangered species under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Today, biologists estimate there are less than 350 North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) left in the population, with fewer than 100 breeding females left. Calving grounds off the coasts of northeast Florida, Georgia and South Carolina have been designated Critical Habitat Areas to help protect the species.
Please report right whale sightings immediately to 877-WHALE-HELP (877-942-5343) or to the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Ch. 16.
Video credit to Georgia DNR, taken under NOAA permit 20556.
#Whale #Endangered #MarineLife

[@healthysavannah1992]

Beautiful!!! Thank you! ❤

[@mcg886]

Wow!! Amazing!

[@mikmazzucchelli6888]

So cute! 🥰

[@SameerPrehistorica]

💙