Historic Whale Sighting Off Donegal Coast

On July 15, a North Atlantic right whale was spotted for the first time in more than a century near Sliabh Liag in Donegal. The sighting marks a historic moment for Ireland and a significant milestone in marine conservation, offering a rare glimmer of hope for one of the world’s most endangered ocean mammals.

Fewer than 350 North Atlantic right whales remain in the wild, leaving the species on the brink of extinction. The last confirmed sighting of one in Irish waters was recorded in 1910, making this discovery particularly remarkable.

The New England Aquarium played a key role in confirming the whale’s identity. North Atlantic right whales are distinguished by large, rough white patches on their heads and bodies called callosities. These thickened areas of skin host colonies of whale lice, and because each whale’s callosity pattern is unique, researchers use them much like fingerprints to identify individual animals.

Typically, these whales inhabit the eastern coast of North America, ranging from New England to the southeastern United States. They are seasonal migrators, most often traveling alone or in small groups. The unexpected appearance of one off the Irish coast represents a rare deviation from their usual range and raises important questions about shifting migratory patterns and the health of the species. It serves as a reminder that continued conservation efforts and public awareness are needed.

Credit: Center for Coastal Studies, taken under NOAA permit #25740

original story by Esther Evangeline- Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale Makes Historic Return to Ireland Waters after a Century - NewsBreak