Friends of Animals is thrilled to welcome new reports on the current North Atlantic right whale baby boom.

So far, 18 right whales have already been born this calving season, and since the season runs until mid-April, it’s very possible we’ll see that number reach 20; something that’s only happened twice since 2013.

This calving season is on pace to be the most productive in years. It’s a far cry from the tragic 2018 season, when no calves were born, and already surpassing last year’s total of 11.

Still, though, right whales are critically endangered; there’s only an estimated 384 remaining in the world.

That’s why FoA has long pressed for more stringent right whale protection, even penning President Biden on Earth Day 2024.

Right whales aren’t only under siege from massive, speeding commercial ships who can’t seem to be bothered to slow down, but also from entangling, insidious, and indiscriminate fishing gear.

Even with this current season’s promise, right whales are still on the brink of extinction and will remain as much without stronger laws to protect them. With a population so small, every birth, death, and life is critical to the species’ future.