After a year of rising concern about North Atlantic right whales, scientists have yet to document a single newborn whale during calving season.
About 25 North Atlantic right whales gathered south of the Vineyard last week, marking an early-season sighting.
Dr. Mark Baumgartner will be the featured speaker for Plight of the Right Whale, an upcoming Tuesdays in the Newsroom talk held at the Gazette office on Tuesday, Jan. 23.
A decomposed whale that washed up on Chappaquiddick last month has been identified as a North Atlantic right whale, adding to the death toll.
The deaths of 13 North Atlantic right whales in the United States and Canada this year is being considered an unusual mortality event, triggering an investigation into the cause.
Researchers are analyzing samples taken from a dead humpback whale that washed up on the south shore of Martha’s Vineyard this week.