Hopeful news
The birthing season generally takes place in waters off the southern U.S. coast from December to March. This year scientists have recorded 13 successful births, although a 14th calf was found dead on a North Carolina beach in November.
Slow moving right whales are vulnerable to deadly ship strikes, even when ships are ordered to slow down ( NOAA-Florida Fish and Wildlfe Conservation Commission)
Scientists monitoring the species have been seeing a trend for females to start reproduction later while the interval between births has been getting longer as well. Sometimes up to ten years compared to three or four years in the past.