Baby boom for northern capers - most calves in 17 years

There are only around 380 northern capers left in the entire world and the conservation status of the species is classified as critically endangered. But in September, scientists made an unexpected discovery when a previously unknown calf was photographed swimming with its mother off the coast of Québec.

To confirm that it was indeed an unknown calf, the researchers compared the calf's patterns with those previously observed. To his delight, it turned out that it was actually a new calf - which means that 24 calves have been born this year. A baby boom for the northern caper. This is the highest number since 2009.

- To be honest, I was skeptical at first, says Amy Warren to the CBC, who was the first to report on the discovery, and continues:

- This year definitely brings hope and a lot of optimism.

Between 2010 and 2020, the number of northern pirates in the world dropped by 25 percent. There are only around 70 females that can have calves left. This is partly because the warmer seas force the whales to search outside protected areas, increasing the risk of them becoming entangled in fishing gear or colliding with ships.

The mother in this case is known from before and goes by the name Silt. The last time she had a calf was in 2022.