Right whale mother ‘Grand Teton’ gives birth to her ninth known calf

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AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. –  Clearwater Marine Aquarium spotted on Thursday the sixth right whale calf of the 2024-2025 calving season, which runs December through March. During the 2023-2024 right whale calving season, observers spotted 20 mother and calf pairs, making last year a relatively good season for this critically endangered species. However, five of these calves died and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that right whales need to birth approximately 50 calves a season for many years for its dwindling population to thrive.

The mother whale, Grand Teton, is one of only about 70 female right whales of reproductive age (and 370 total) — and has played an outsized role in the survival of this giant species.  She is one of five right whales to have been spotted with nine or more calves. Grand Teton, named for her callosity pattern that resembles the peaks of Wyoming’s Teton Range, is likely at least 50 years old since she was first seen back in 1981 and had already had a calf. Just 10% of right whales are expected to live past the age of 47 due to dangers from vessel strikes and entanglements. 

In response Environment Florida’s Advocate, Mia McCormick issued the following statement:

“This calf and mother sighting represents a beacon of hope for the critically endangered right whale. Grand Teton’s newest baby shows us that female right whales who are able to beat the odds and live long lives can bring many babies into the world. We need to protect them so they can live long enough to do that.

“We wish the pair safe travels and hope that Grand Teton’s new calf can follow in her mother’s wake and enjoy a long, fertile life.”

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