“They dive 600 feet, brushing their heads along the seafloor with raised, wartlike patches of skin, sometimes swimming upside down, big as sunken galleons, hot-blooded and holding their breath in cold and utter darkness while the greatest tides on Earth surge by.” This passage was the beginning of a seven-page article by Douglas H. Chadwick in the October issue of National Geographic. The article, named Right Whales On the Brink On the Rebound, was a sad but true story of the right whales’ long and slow recovery from possible extinction
Right whales, also known as Eubalaena glacialis, by the 20th century had decreased in population to the low dozens. Their recovery since then has been slow and the outcome, very uncertain. But because of the help of many willing volunteers, the right whales’ futures seem to be looking up. Although volunteers and researchers can’t protect every whale from possible hazards like ship collisions, fishing nets and or lines, they are improving the overall population of the whales. Thanks to the efforts of many, about 350 to 400 north Atlantic right whales exist today. The number may seem small but it is a big improvement from the 20th century population in the low dozens.
What I found interesting about this article was the amount of people (volunteers, researchers, etc.) invested in the whales and their recovery. I think people are starting to understand that since we hurt these whales, it’s our job to help them. Donna McCutchan, an enthusiastic volunteer, said “I once got to watch a mother roll onto her back, and bottlenose dolphins started jumping over her. Whales are addictive. Once you see them, you don’t want them to leave. Ever. “ Obviously whales have a big impact on people.
From:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/10/right-whales/chadwick-text
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