Declining fertility and rising mortality, exacerbated by fishing industry, prompts experts to warn whales could be extinct by 2040North Atlantic right whales may face extinction after no new births recordedThe dwindling North Atlantic right whale population is on track to finish its breeding season without any new births, prompting experts to warn again that without human intervention, the species will face extinction. There are estimated to be as few as 430 North Atlantic right whales left in the world, including just 100 potential mothers. Without action, he warned, North Atlantic right whales will be functionally extinct by 2040. Photograph: Daniel Grill/Tetra Images/Getty Images/Tetra images RFBaumgartner said that until about seven years ago, the population of North Atlantic right whales was healthy. Several environmental groups have sued the federal government, demanding greater protection for right whales.

Source: The Guardian February 26, 2018 21:00 UTC