North Atlantic Right Whale swims from Ireland to Boston

Researchers have confirmed a first-of-its-kind discovery: a North Atlantic right whale photographed in European waters has now been spotted off the coast of North America.

With only about 384 of these critically endangered whales left, every individual is carefully tracked. So when the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) spotted a lone right whale during an aerial survey east of Boston on November 19 — and couldn’t find it in the catalog — they knew something unusual was going on.

After reaching out to the New England Aquarium, researchers realized the whale matched a sighting from July 2024 in Donegal Bay, Ireland. The photos lined up, making it the first confirmed right whale photo-ID match between Ireland and the U.S. East Coast.

The find suggests these whales may still explore far beyond their usual range, and that old European habitats might matter more than scientists once thought. Researchers also note that several whales first seen in North America have later turned up in European waters, showing how important international collaboration is for tracking the species.

Right whales are still facing major challenges — especially from fishing gear and vessel strikes — but there is a bit of good news. The latest population estimate shows a small increase from last year, helped in part by new vessel speed limits in Canada.

“Seeing a whale photographed in Ireland reappear off Boston is extraordinary,” said CCS scientist Daniel Palacios. “Encounters like this show their resilience — and why working together across borders matters.”

Original post: Scientists amazed after right whale swims here from Ireland