As the days get shorter in the northeast, our high hopes grow brighter for North Atlantic right whales. It’s calving season for these critically endangered whales, and with about 380 whales left in the population and only around 70 breeding females, every calf is a reason to celebrate. The pregnant mothers are leaving the feeding grounds in New England and eastern Canada right now to migrate 1,000 miles down the coastline to the southeastern United States to give birth.
Over the next few months these newborn whales will grow and learn how to be a right whale, catching a breather and taking breaks from swimming on mom’s back or belly, and gaining up to 75 pounds per day thanks to mom’s milk. Did you know North Atlantic right whale mothers whisper to their babies in the calving grounds?! As we kick off this calving season, let’s look back at the 2024/2025 season.
A RECAP OF THE 2024/2025 CALVING SEASON
Last year’s calving season was an exciting one, with four first-time moms joining the ranks of reproductively active females and two mom and calf sightings outside of the typical calving grounds – one off New York Harbor and one off the coast of Viriginia. As we celebrate the mothers of last season, it’s important to remember there is much more to be done to ensure their journey to motherhood is possible. In total, the 11 mothers from last season have collectively survived 32 entanglements and 6 vessel strikes, that we know of.
Grand Teton (#1145)
Grand Teton is a true super mom, and with the birth of her ninth calf in early 2025, she maintains her status as being one of the most productive North Atlantic right whale moms! She is only one calf behind the record-holder for most calves born (that title goes to Spindle #1204). Grand Teton is also grandmother to five whales.
Check Mark (#3705)
Check Mark is one of four first-time mothers from last season (a higher percentage than average!), and she is quite the survivor. When Check Mark was younger, she was struck by a vessel that ultimately cut off a large chunk of her tail, making it look like, you guessed it, a check mark. Despite the challenges of this injury, here she is contributing another calf to a critically endangered population.
Caterpillar (#3503)
Another first-time mama, Caterpillar was spotted off the coast of Florida at the end of 2024. At just two years old, Caterpillar was hit by a vessel. The propeller blades left her body segmented, like a caterpillar, hence her name. Experts worried that this recent pregnancy could reopen the wounds and end her life tragically. However, she seems to have given birth successfully.
Accordion (#4150)
Accordion and her calf made quite a stir when they were seen swimming off the coasts of New York and New Jersey back in February – quite a way from the typical calving grounds, and right next to a busy shipping lane! Accordion is another vessel strike survivor. This first-time mom and her calf were spotted in a Seasonal Management Area that requires large boats to slow down, providing critical protection for this valuable addition to the population.
Cashew (#3292)
Cashew was spotted cradling her calf on her belly off of Amelia Island in Florida last February. This is her third calf, and hopefully it will not be her last. This mother-calf behavior was beautifully captured by Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research while monitoring the population on the calving grounds.
While we are hopefully for this upcoming calving season, human-caused threats to the very survival of the North Atlantic right whale remain. These whales face mounting threats from vessel strikes and entanglements in fishing gear and remain one of the most endangered large whale species on the planet. Continued attacks on the Marine Mammal Protection Act and efforts to weaken NOAA’s science-based safeguards put this fragile population at even greater risk. Help Oceana tell Congress to uphold, not undermine, the laws, programs, and experts that give North Atlantic right whales a fighting chance for continued survival. Take Action Now.
