Northern Right Whale Migration

As the whales stop in Cape Cod Bay people learn of their plight. Education plays an important role in conservation by connecting people with animals in need of protection

Instead of doing the hundred other things on my list this week, I went one morning to Sandy Neck to see the north Atlantic right whales feeding in Cape Cod Bay. I shared my spotting scope with several people and talked to them about the right whales and what they were seeing.

The north Atlantic right whales made the front page of the local paper so many people were already commenting on the fact that there are only about 300-400 of them in the whole world. With estimates of 50-100 whales in the bay, that meant we were in the presence of about one-third of the entire north Atlantic right whale population.

The people knew that there were restrictions on activities in the bay and that there were patrol boats to ensure the right whales were left alone. As I left several people thanked me for sharing both the telescope and the information about the whales.

All those people, from toddlers to seniors were learning about one of the world’s most endangered whales. They will remember. And they will be more likely to work to protect the bay because it is a temporary home to the north Atlantic right whale on a long journey back from near extinction. It is true that we protect what we love and we love what we know.

Today was a good day for the endangered northern right whale.

To see footage of the right whales feeding click here