ENVIRONMENTAL
veal there is a process of intense instruction
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and learning going on between the
two during its first months of life. It also
shows how vital the calving grounds are
to their survival.
“We theorize that mothers and calves
establish acoustic recognition of each other
before leaving the calving grounds,” Gerstein
explains. “Acoustic signaling works
well to identify and locate each other when
you’re in a murky environment. They start
vocal exchanges before initiating the northern
migration, ensuring their bond and
social cohesion along their journey.”
Experts say that if you spot right
whales, please do not interact with the
mammals. Give them their space and
stay at least 500 yards away. To help
save this critically endangered species,
ropeless fishing gear and pop-up buoys
are recommended as solutions to stop
entangling them.
And if you’re lucky enough to see a
mother right whale swimming with her
calf, make sure to savor that once-in-alifetime
moment. Remember to respect
their space from a safe distance and
learn how to protect their only nursery
grounds that exist off the Southeastern
coast. Their survival depends on us.
A right whale’s massive
body can extend to 52
feet in length and weigh
50 tons. (NOAA permit #19674)
JOEL COHEN
JIM MOIR
Right whales swim close to the coast, so it’s important to be on the lookout for them. (NOAA permit No. 19674)