Antarctic blue whales have grown about tenfold since whaling ended, to roughly 4,000, but are still under 2% of their old numbers
The first population assessment in over 20 years, with the numbers and the caveats straight from the researchers.
What happened: A study in the journal Endangered Species Research (Nov. 5 issue), led by Zoe Rand of the University of Washington, gives the first population assessment of Antarctic blue whales in more than 20 years. The team estimates about 4,018 whales in 2024, up from roughly 418 after the last reported catch in 1973, with growth of about 4.5% a year. The model puts their pre-whaling population at around 205,900.
Why it matters: The largest animal ever known was hunted down by 99.8%; the study shows protection is working, but the authors say a return to pre-whaling numbers will take more than a century.
How much agreement is there? Broad agreement that the recovery is real and welcome. The uncertainty is in the counting: the estimate's range runs from about 1,900 to 8,400 whales, and Phys.org notes few ship surveys have been done in the Southern Ocean since 2004.
Could someone help? Monitoring is the gap researchers point to: ship surveys are rare and costly, and scientists are working on ways to count whales by listening for them (acoustic monitoring).
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International Whaling Commission
After exploring As Antarctic blue whales advance along the road to recovery, continued oversight is key, the organization that banned hunting them is International Whaling Commission.
The body set up under the 1946 whaling convention to conserve whale stocks and manage whaling.
Wikipedia · Wade · 5 min
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Blue whale
After exploring Critically Endangered Antarctic blue whales are increasing but still far from pre-whaling levels, for the animal itself, read Blue whale.
Covers the blue whale, the largest animal known to have ever existed, at up to about 30 m long.
Wikipedia · Wade · 5 min
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