Pair of endangered whales spotted near Georgia
A female North Atlantic right whale with her calf. So far scientists have not seen a right whale calf this year, a first in nearly three decades.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - A pair of endangered right whales has been spotted off the Georgia coast, though scientists still haven't seen any whale newborns two months into the species' calving season.
Wildlife biologist Clay George of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said spotters searching by plane confirmed two right whales Wednesday near Little St. Simons Island south of Savannah.
Clay said they were the first right whales seen off the Georgia coast since the calving season began Dec. 1. But neither whale was a newborn.
This is the first year in nearly three decades that researchers haven't seen a right whale calf by Jan. 1.
Scientists estimate only about 450 North Atlantic right whales still exist. They typically migrate each winter to waters off Georgia and Florida to give birth.