By: Ellie Zhang 1

For the first time in over a century, a North Atlantic right whale was spotted off the Irish coast. As a critically endangered species, it is said to have fewer than 360 individuals left in the seas—and expected to go extinct within the next 20 years.

North Atlantic right whales are usually found off the coast of North America. They have thick, black bodies, wide tails, and sometimes white patches on their bellies. They have been listed as an endangered species since 1970— humans have had a big impact on their population decline.

One North Atlantic right whale has been spotted in the waters near Sliabh Liag, County Donegal, according to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group(IWDG). The last time this species of whale was spotted in Ireland was in 1910.

The IWDG asked people not to approach the whale, and to just watch it from shore.

“There is an enormous onus on us all to ensure this whale remains as long as it needs in Donegal bay, where it’s most likely feeding on tiny copepods (tiny crustaceans) without having to run the gauntlet of small craft and sightseers,” the group said.

IWDG sightings officer Pádraig Whooley contacted the New England Aquarium in Boston, informing them about the whale and keeping track of known individuals.

Conor Ryan, a Scottish Association for Marine Science research fellow, said that the current death rate of North Atlantic right whales is too high for them to recover. However, he said the sighting was “a glimmer of hope.”

Sources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cn08z44g8z3o
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cn08z44g8z3o