Number of California Blue Whales Near Pre-Whaling Population

In the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean, California blue whales have almost returned to their pre-whaling numbers.


A study published in Marine Mammal Science believes the population of the California blue whale is no longer dangerously low.
It's estimated there are now 2,200 whales in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Commercial whaling had taken a large toll on the creatures, which are hunted for their meat and oil.
Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, measuring up to 100 feet in length and weighing around 200 tons.
Researchers utilized information on how many whales were caught between 1905 and 1971 to estimate the population then and what it is now.
They believe the current whale population is at about 97 percent of what it used to be.
Unfortunately, while their numbers rise, the whales still run the risk of being hit by ships. It was estimated that 11 whales were hit last year along the West Coast.
While the population increase is great news for the California blue whales, the rest of the world's blue whale population needs to increase.
For instance, blue whales in Antarctica are at one percent of their previous population.