Southern right whale

Most common of right whales, cruising the southern oceans

Oregon State University

The population of these whales had shown a slow but steady increase since international protection in the mid-20th century when extreme hunting practices virtually eliminated this species. There are estimated to be approximately 4,000 currently surviving individuals in the southern hemisphere.

Unlike its close relatives, i.e., the North Pacific whale and North Atlantic whale, both endangered, the Southern Right whale has started to recover and is of the Least concern. Aside from international protection, individual countries are also protecting these whales and improving their ability to survive and reproduce. For instance, in Brazil, the Right Whale project has been in effect since 1981, which aims to protect their breeding grounds off the coast of South Brazil.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Indian ocean
2017
Pacific ocean
2017
Atlantic Ocean
2017
Antarctic ocean
2017
Antarctica
2017
Argentina
2017
Australia
2017
Bouvet Island
2017
Brazil
2017
Chile
2017
Falkland Islands
2017
Malvinas
French So. Terr
2017
Kerguelen
Madagascar
2017
Mozambique
2017
Namibia
2017
New Zealand
2017
Peru
2017
St. Helena Ascension & Tristan Da Cunha
2017
Tristan Da Cunha
South Africa
2017
South Georgia
2017
Uruguay
2017

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Group

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No