Will One of the World's Most Endangered Whales Be Saved Before It's Too Late?
Will One of the World's Most Endangered Whales Be Saved Before It's Too Late?
By Alicia Graef, Care2
14 May 16
Conservationists took legal action this week to get protection for one of the most endangered species of whales on Earth.
The whales in question are a a genetically distinct population of Brydes whales who were only recently discovered. Brydes whales can be found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, but these whales are year-round residents of the Gulf of Mexico who live mainly in the DeSoto Canyon, off the Florida panhandle.
Genetic testing conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Services Southeast Fisheries Science Center recently concluded these whales are a genetically distinct subspecies, if not an entirely new species altogether. In addition to being genetically unique, they also have a distinctive song unlike the calls of other Brydes whales and are the only baleen whales living in the Gulf.
Unfortunately, at the time of their discovery the best estimate of their population put their number at fewer than 50 individuals, which raised concerns that they are one of the most endangered whales on earth who will likely disappear entirely without intervention.
In 2014, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) took action on their behalf and petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to have them listed under the Endangered Species Act, arguing they face a slew of threats putting them at serious risk of extinction.
More:
http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/36869-will-one-of-the-worlds-most-endangered-whales-be-saved-before-its-too-late