Scientists discovered an unknown baby right whale off Canada. They say it’s a cause for joy

Scientists have discovered a newborn baby right whale off the coast of Canada, bringing joy to researchers studying the rare species. The calf, weighing around 15,000 pounds, was captured on camera off Anticosti Island in Quebec in September. After analyzing photos and data, researchers at the New England Aquarium in Boston determined that the baby was likely born months ago and went unnoticed during winter surveys for the giant whales.

This discovery brings the total number of baby right whales found during the most recent birthing season to 24, making it the most productive year for the whales since 2009 and the fourth-highest count on record. Right whales are extremely rare, with only about 380 individuals left worldwide, and their population has been declining since 2010.

The newborn calf was seen swimming alongside its mother, a 38-year-old whale named Silt, who had previously been spotted in the southeastern U.S. calving grounds in February. While it's unusual for researchers to miss a baby whale, this discovery was particularly exciting as the whales were being tracked late in the season. Successful calving years are crucial for the survival of the species, as there are only about 70 reproductive-age females remaining.

The whales face numerous threats, including collisions with ships, entanglement in fishing gear, and the impacts of ocean warming. Recent years have seen a slight improvement in the whale population, but conservationists have criticized recent U.S. government decisions to delay new protections for the whales in favor of commercial fishing interests.

The sighting of the baby whale off Quebec highlights the vastness of the ocean and the challenges of tracking these elusive animals.