A pair of endangered North Atlantic right whales, named Curlew and Koala, went on a rare rogue winter trip across the U.S. Gulf coast, surprising researchers. The whales were recently spotted off Florida’s west coast, heading back to the Atlantic Ocean after making a brief appearance near Alabama and Florida. The sighting of fifteen North Atlantic right whales off Florida’s coast also included a new mother-calf pair. The pregnant right whales migrate south in the winter to give birth off the Florida coast, accompanied by other adult whales and juveniles. This winter, at least 54 individual right whales have been identified in the calving grounds. The mother-calf pairs born this season bring the total to ten, which is the lowest in six years. The population of critically endangered right whales is estimated at around 470, facing threats from vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglements. A U.S. House subcommittee hearing will discuss the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, focusing on the need to protect right whales. Conservation groups argue for boat speed rules to prevent accidental deaths of whales, as even one human-related death per year can endanger the species. Recent sightings have shown some right whales previously entangled in gear now swimming gear-free, providing hope for their survival. Scientists and advocates continue efforts to protect and conserve the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.
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