Georgia Wildlife Resources Division

4/24/2008

BRUNSWICK, Ga. - After spending the winter in the warm waters off the Georgia and Florida coast, North Atlantic right whales are heading north for the summer. Research survey results indicate that the number of individual right whales spending the winter in the South increased this year, a hopeful sign for these rare aquatic giants.

The last of the right whales were seen heading north at the beginning of April, signaling the end of the calving season. Right whales spend the summer in the cooler waters off Cape Cod Bay and Canada, returning to Georgia and Florida in the winter. Research done by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from December 2007 through March is helping wildlife biologists determine the status of these endangered animals.

Approximately 150 right whales were sighted off the Georgia coast during the season, up from 87 in 2007. The total includes 19 sets of mother and calf pairs, as well as juveniles and single animals. Whales are counted using aerial surveys and on-the-water monitoring.

Since 2005, at least one adult mortality has been documented each year. This year, however, none were reported. There were two reported cases of calf mortalities, both from unknown causes.

Researchers identify right whales by the unique pattern of callosities, or rough patches of skin, found on the whales' heads and around their mouths. These patches are usually covered with whale lice, a type of crustacean, making the patches appear white. Photographs are used to tell which whale is being observed.

Right whales are baleen whales with a bow-shaped lower jaw and a head that is up to one-quarter of the body length. Calves weigh approximately 1 ton at birth and adults can reach 60 tons and almost 50 feet in length. They have no dorsal fin and breathe through two blowholes on the top of their heads. These unique blowholes create a V-shaped blow, which also helps researchers identify the whales from a distance. Right whales can live for up to 70 years.

Classified as endangered in 1931, these whales are listed as a priority species in Georgia's State Wildlife Action Plan, the blueprint for conservation in Georgia.

Although not hunted now, right whales face conservation problems including ship strikes, entanglement in commercial fishing gear and habitat destruction. Even after nearly 50 years of protected status, there are only an estimated 300 to 400 North Atlantic right whales left.

How can you help?

** Be wise stewards of Georgia's natural environment and enjoy the outdoors responsibly. If boating off Georgia's coast from December to April, follow the Guidelines for Navigating in Right Whale Waters, available on the DNR Coastal Resources Division's Web page, http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us . Report right whale sightings by calling (800) 272-8363. For more information, please visit http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us .

** Buy a nongame wildlife license plate. The DNR Wildlife Resources Division's Nongame Conservation Section, which works to conserve nongame species such as right whales, receives no state appropriations. Instead, the section relies on federal grants, donations and fundraisers like license plate sales. Nongame plates featuring a bald eagle or a ruby-throated hummingbird are available for $25 at all county tag offices, by checking the appropriate box on mail-in forms or through online renewal at http://mvd.dor.ga.gov/tags.

** Donate to the Nongame Conservation Section's work through the Give Wildlife a Chance State Income Tax Checkoff. Simply fill in a dollar amount on line 26 of the long tax form (Form 500) or line 10 of the short form (Form 500EZ).