World · North America · 2 hrs ago
Unseen right whale calf raises this season’s count to 24
Researchers identified a North Atlantic right whale calf off Quebec after it was photographed near Anticosti Island in September.
The calf was swimming with its mother, a 38-year-old whale known as Silt, and likely was born months earlier.
Its discovery brings this season’s count to 24 calves, the most since 2009 and the fourth-highest count on record.
Right whales give birth off the southeastern United States in winter, then travel north to feed in New England and Canada.
The species numbers about 380, with only about 70 reproductive-age females, so successful births are important to its survival.
Ship strikes, fishing gear and warming oceans pose risks, and the population fell by about a quarter between 2010 and 2020.
Scientists will continue tracking births and threats to the whales, but no specific next action is given.
Scientists identified an unseen North Atlantic right whale calf, bringing the latest birthing season’s count to 24.
The calf was photographed off Anticosti Island in Quebec in September with its mother, a 38-year-old whale known as Silt.
The New England Aquarium said the count makes this the whales’ most productive calving season since 2009 and the fourth-highest on record.
The calf likely was born months earlier, but scientists do not know exactly when or where.
The species numbers about 380 whales and faces threats from ship collisions and fishing gear entanglement.
- Who
- The calf’s mother is Silt, a 38-year-old North Atlantic right whale.
- What
- Scientists identified a previously unseen calf, raising the season’s discovered-calf count to 24.
- When
- Researchers photographed the calf in September 2026; the aquarium announced its identification in November.
- Where
- Off Anticosti Island, Quebec, Canada.
- Why
- The calf had not been documented during earlier surveys; the sources say Silt may have given birth in the southeastern U.S. calving grounds.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Silt was briefly seen in the southeastern U.S. calving grounds.
Researchers photographed Silt with her calf off Anticosti Island, Quebec.
The New England Aquarium said photo and data analysis identified the calf and raised the season’s count to 24.
- Season count
- 24 discovered calves
- Mother
- Silt, a 38-year-old North Atlantic right whale
- Sighting location
- Off Anticosti Island, Quebec, Canada
- Species population
- About 380 whales
- Calving-season record
- Most productive since 2009; fourth-highest count on record
3 sources
What people are saying
Silt was briefly seen in the southeastern U.S. calving grounds in February 2026, so it’s possible she had the calf there but snuck away before they were documented together. This is an exciting discovery for us so late in the year.
It just goes to show you how big the ocean is, and how those animals can get lost out there.
Silt managed to fly under the radar of survey teams throughout the spring and summer
The population increase is really good news, and so far, what we’ve seen in 2025 is also good news