Worsening Decline of Vanishing Whales Revealed by Federal Regulators

The population of the North Atlantic right whale, a vanishing species, is in worse shape than previously believed, according to federal ocean regulators. The latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reveals that 114 of these whales have been documented as dead, seriously injured, or sick since the start of an "unusual mortality event" in 2017. The new estimate highlights the dire situation for these whales, which are vulnerable to ship collisions and entanglement in fishing gear. The decline in their numbers is a result of climate change and human activities, posing a significant threat to marine life.