Species Spotlight: Right Whale

Critically Endangered Whale Visits South Florida

Every winter, North Atlantic right whales migrate from their northern feeding grounds along the coast of the U.S. to have their babies off the coast of Georgia and northern Florida, the only known calving grounds for these animals. Yes, Florida has whales—and sometimes they can be seen from shore.

In early January, a right whale and her new calf were spotted very close to the South Florida shore for a few days, including just off the coast of John D. MacArthur State Park, Jupiter Beach Park, and the Juno Beach Pier. They are most often sighted between Jacksonville and Cape Canaveral, including the St. Augustine fishing pier and 800-foot-long pier in Flagler Beach.

This female whale, nicknamed Pilgrim by the scientists who study her, is 10-years-old and has her first calf, which is one of 11 new calves this season, so far. Pilgrim is a unique animal and was named after her initial sighting location. She was first seen as a very young calf with her mother, Wart, in Cape Cod Bay, near Plymouth, Mass. Researchers think she was born in the Northeast instead of the typical right whale calving grounds in the Southeast U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Another mom sighted during the 2023 season is nicknamed Spindle, seen with her new calf off the coast of Georgia. She’s at least 41-years-old and this is her tenth documented calf. She has now had more documented calves than any other right whale, and is even a grandma.

Pilgrim and Spindle are two of about 70 breeding females in the population. Sadly, one of Spindle’s daughters, born in 2019, is currently entangled with fishing gear. She is the 22nd serious injury case in 2023. Considered one of the most endangered animals on the planet, with fewer than 350 remaining, right whales have been listed on the Endangered Species Act since 1970. Today, their major threats come from ship strikes and entanglement with fishing gear.

To protect the whales, federal law requires vessels, paddle boarders, and aircraft, including drones, to stay at least 500-yards away from right whales.

Written by Bethany Augliere

grey, but they have brown, black and whitish feathers also. This impressive bird cannot be identified by feathering diversities, but both male and females look alike and are same size. As adults, these birds weigh on average 8 pounds with a wingspan nesting 82 inches; yes, just shy of 7 feet!