The whalers also told of cases where Right Whales saved the lives of
sailors from capsized longboats - deliberately returning to keep the
floundering sailors afloat until other boats could reach them.
This life-saving instinct may be one reason the whales seek our shallow
coastal waters to give birth. Baby whales are born underwater, head
first. They must swim to the surface to take their first breath. No
Northern Right Whale has actually been observed giving birth, but with
the other whale species, the mother may nudge the baby to the surface
for air if he does not rise quickly on his own power.
Northern Right Whales nurture their calves for weeks or months in our
shallow coastal waters. The baby is never more than his body length
away from the mother, swimming usually near her tail or eye. Sometimes,
the mother swims sideways, tenderly holding her baby under her broad
fluke. The calves are playful and boisterous, and may breach (leap)
onto the mother's back and cover her blowholes in fun. The mothers seem
not to mind. When the young calf is ready, they begin the long
migration north. Only the females will return to bear their own young,
as their ancestors have done since before human history.
Northern Right Whales were included in the first international whaling
ban in 1937. While other whale species are increasing in population,
the Northern Right Whale population remains fewer than 350
individuals. The death rate and birth rate are so nearly equal
that without further protection, this magnificent species may yet
become extinct.
We have only begun to understand the Northern Right Whale in the past
20 years. With no natural fear of man or boats, ship collisions are
the greatest danger to them today. In shallow waters of the calving
grounds, the huge whales cannot dive to escape large modern vessels. It
is up to Man to make way for the whales, by posting look-outs trained
in whale spotting, by reducing speed in the calving ground, and even by
changing course or stopping to avoid a collision.
Critical Habitat status for the calving grounds, combined with
international cooperation, may allow these whales to make a comeback.
And one day, our children may stand on a pier or beach of the Golden
Isles and shout, "Thar she blows!" as the Spanish did four centuries
ago.
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To report a sighting of a Northern Right Whale or to find out more
about what you can do to help preserve these beautiful creatures call:
In Georgia: 1-800-272-8363
In Florida: 1-800-342-5367
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