Celebrating the births of North Atlantic right whales in 2024

The North Atlantic right whale dubbed Marilyn Monroe (Catalog #3130) and her new calf were spotted on January 17, 2024, near Jekyll Island, Georgia. This is her fourth calf, and she last gave birth three years ago. She's 23 years old.

15. Calf of Catalog #3820 

The 15th right whale calf of the season was spotted off Nassau Sound in Florida on January 24, 2024. The mother is Catalog #3820, who is 16 years old-this was her first calf. Four calves were born to new mothers this season; the other first-timers were Catalog #3780 and Catalog #3725, who are both 17 years old, and Catalog #3590, who is 19.

Most female North Atlantic right whales start giving birth to calves at around eight to 12 years old. Stress from factors like vessel strikes and entanglement can affect the health of these whales and delay calving.

16. Calf of Butterfly (Catalog #1425) 

A new calf was spotted with Butterfly (Catalog #1425) near Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on January 27. This was Butterfly's fifth calf, and she's at least 43 years old. Previously, she hadn't given birth since the 2014 season-one decade ago. She also became a grandmother as her daughter, Catalog #3725, gave birth to the 17th calf of the season.

17. Calf of Catalog #3725 

A 17-year-old right whale, Catalog #3725, was seen with a new calf on January 30, 2024, near Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. This is her first calf. She was the 17th right whale to give birth this season, and there were 17 other breeding-age female whales observed in the area that weren't seen with calves-but they are all potential mothers, and every new right whale matters in the uphill battle to save this species.

18. Calf of Skittle (Catalog #3260) 

A female North Atlantic right whale nicknamed Skittle (Catalog #3260) was spotted with a new calf near Kure Beach, North Carolina, on February 16, 2024. Skittle is at least 22 years old, and this is her second known calf. Sadly, Skittle was seen in March and April without her calf, so it is presumed dead.

19. Calf of Dog-ear (Catalog #3590) 

Another right whale mother, nicknamed Dog-ear (Catalog #3590), was seen with a newborn calf off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, on February 16, 2024. Dog-ear was born in 2005, making her about 19 years old. This is her first known calf.

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