Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale Killed in Ship Collision

The latest casualty highlights the ongoing threat to the species, with less than 360 individuals remaining.

A North Atlantic right whale, identified as Catalogue #1950, was killed in a collision with a ship off the Virginia coast, marking the fourth such death in 2024.
The whale, a mother who recently gave birth, suffered catastrophic injuries consistent with blunt force trauma, leading to a dislocation of the spine.
NOAA has declared an Unusual Mortality Event for the species, citing vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear as primary causes.
Environmental groups are calling for immediate action, including tighter regulations on commercial fishing and shipping, and the implementation of vessel speed restrictions.
The loss of reproductive females, like #1950, and their calves poses a significant threat to the survival of the critically endangered species.