Rare whale with calf spotted near New York

A North Atlantic right whale and her calf were spotted in New York waters last week. The rare species is in danger of extinction, according to New York Post.

Momma Accordion, a whale mother, and her yet-unnamed newborn baby were frolicking in the frigid waters of the Port of New York and New Jersey, about 3 miles east of Sandy Hook, on Feb. 24. They were photographed.

An unusual couple

Although the North Atlantic is smooth Whales not uncommon on this waterway at this time of year, it is very unusual to see a newborn so far north.

“We don’t know if this calf was born here in New York Bay or if it was born down south and they came here,” said Chris St. Lawrence of Gotham Whale Research Center in South Brooklyn. “It’s remarkable that they’re here right now, at this time of year. They’re usually further south. They’re endangered animals, so every pair is important. We’re lucky to see them here, outside of their normal birthing range.”

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The newborn is Accordion's first cub. She has been under the researchers' gaze since 2011. That's when she was first seen with distinct blade scars on her back. These scars led the researchers to think of a musical instrument, which is how the nickname Accordion came about.

Researchers are unsure of the age baby, but it is believed that he may be only a few weeks old.

Animal danger

The cute couple are two of only about 372 North Atlantic right whales alive today. The species is critically endangered.

But they may not be the only North Atlantic right whales currently roaming the Big Apple. More were spotted by acoustic buoys deployed throughout New York Bight on Feb. 10.

Adult right whales are known to begin moving north at this time of year after winter mating in the warmer waters of Florida.

However, they usually do not take their newborns with them. The young mothers stay in the south until the cubs are a little older.

Despite the oddity, Accordion's return to the north doesn't worry researchers. The species can be unpredictable. Any birth of a baby should be celebrated, scientists say.

“It’s really exciting to see them in New York City waters. But it’s also a little bit alarming that they’re so close to the city and these busy shipping lanes,” St. Lawrence said. “Shipping is a major threat to these animals. And to see their future kind of symbolically threatened in this particular way is really striking.”

The species never recovered from its near-extinction in the 19th century, when whales were relentlessly hunted.

Boats and other vessels remain the greatest threat to the mammals today. Their dark coloring and lack of a dorsal fin make them difficult to spot. Their tendency to swim near the surface has tragic consequences for the animals.

Researchers remain confident that the population of these whales may increase.
Last summer, an unprecedented 82 North Atlantic right whales were recorded swimming in New York Bay.

Whales typically prefer to spend the summer in Maine or even northern Canada.

“It’s very difficult to predict where these animals are going, which makes it difficult to protect them,” St. Lawrence said. “That’s why it’s important that these sightings happen and that people know about them.”