Highest number of north Atlantic right whale calves recorded in 17 years
This year, NOAA Fisheries recorded 23 North Atlantic right whale calf births, the highest number recorded since 2009 when 39 calves were born.
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One of the world's most endangered whale species has recorded 23 births for the calving season, the highest number seen in 17 years.
The North Atlantic right whale has been endangered for more than 100 years, when commercial whaling in the 1800s nearly eradicated the species, according to NOAA Fisheries.
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Since then, commercial whaling is no longer a threat to these whales, but their population numbers have never recovered, and human threats still exist.
Northern Right whale. Watching Northern right whales in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada. (Francois Gohier/VW Pics/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
Vessel strikes and entanglement from fishing gear are still the leading causes of North Atlantic right whale deaths.
In the last 10 years, there have been more right whale deaths than births.
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Because of this, the North Atlantic right whale calving season is closely monitored and critical to the survival of the species.
North Atlantic right whale calving
The calving season runs from mid-November to mid-April, and female North Atlantic right whales birth a single calf after more than a year-long pregnancy. Female right whales mature at about age 10 on average.
NOAA Fisheries said female right whales used to give birth to a calf every three to four years, but now are averaging seven to 10 years between births.
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The number of North Atlantic right whale births each "calving year." North Atlantic right whales typically calve between mid-November and mid-April. (NOAA Fisheries / NOAA)
"Biologists believe the additional stress from entanglements, vessel strike injuries and changes in prey availability due to climate change all likely contribute to right whales calving less often," NOAA Fisheries said.
This year, NOAA Fisheries recorded 23 North Atlantic right whale calf births, the highest number recorded since 2009 when 39 calves were born.
Meet some of the mamas
The most recent birth of the year came from right whale #4617 "Mirror." Mirror is a first-time mom this season, and she is 10 years old.
She was spotted with her new whale calf on March 14, by an aerial survey team from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, NOAA Fisheries said.
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North Atlantic right whale #4617 (Mirror) and her first known calf swimming approximately a quarter mile off Crescent Beach, Florida. (lorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, taken under NOAA permit #26919. / NOAA)
At the end of January, right whale #1515 "Ghost," gave birth to her ninth known calf.
Ghost is believed to be about 50 years old, and was named for her callosity pattern, which resembles a cartoon ghost, NOAA Fisheries said.
North Atlantic right whale #1515 (Ghost) and her ninth calf, swimming just offshore of Flagler Beach, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Marineland Right Whale Project, taken by Jeff Greene under NOAA permit #26562. / NOAA)
Another recent mother is right whale #1245 "Slalom." She is 44 years old.
She was spotted with her new baby on Jan. 22. This is Slalom's seventh known calf.
North Atlantic right whale #1245 (Slalom) and her seventh calf, on January 24, 2026. (Marineland Right Whale Project/Zoe Rauscher, taken under NOAA permit #26562. / NOAA)
On Jan. 20, right whale #3020 "Giza" was spotted south of Charleston, South Carolina with her calf.
Giza is at least 26 years old, and NOAA Fisheries said this is her fourth known calf.
North Atlantic right whale #3020 (Giza) and her fourth calf swimming approximately 10 miles off Charleston, South Carolina, on January 30, 2026. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, taken under NOAA permit #26919. / NOAA)
NOAA Fisheries has kept track of all the right whale calves born this season. To see all the new additions, click here.
How you can help
NOAA said to do your part in helping to preserve the North Atlantic right whale population, go slow and stay alert when boating or fishing in the northern Atlantic.
Though they're massive, averaging up to 52-feet long, the whales can be hard to spot, especially in low lighting or during bad weather.
NOAA said mother-calf pairs are at a heightened risk for vessel strikes because they spend nearly all their time at or close to the water surface, but are difficult to see.
To report a right whale sighting and learn more, click here.