Endangered And Entangled Right Whale Returns To Cape Cod With Calf

PROVINCETOWN, MA — A right whale who gave birth to a calf in December while entangled in rope has returned to Cape Cod.

Researchers say this particular whale, named Snow Cone, is 17-years-old and one of few remaining breeding females. Scientists say North Atlantic right whales are one of the most critically endangered animals on the planet.

Snow Cone and her calf were seen on the Atlantic side of the Outer Cape near Provincetown over the weekend. Last year, teams from the Center for Coastal Studies removed 300 feet of rope that had been stuck around her, but she took off before all of it could be removed.

She was then spotted with her calf in Georgia, before the two made their 1,300-mile journey back to the Cape, even with a decent amount of rope still entangled in her jaw.

Researchers say Snow Cone's first calf was killed after being struck by a ship in 2020 - a common threat to right whales, along with getting entangled in ropes.

Research teams are now concerned the remaining rope could cause wounds to get infected, and worry it wouldn't be safe to try to free her from the rope with her new calf.

With only an estimated 336 North Atlantic right whales left, researchers are excited to hear Snow Cone and her calf appear to be healthy, continuing on their normal migration route back to the cape.

The Center For Coastal Studies said their team will continue to track Snow Cone and her baby. Around 221 right whales have been seen in Cape Cod Bay since December alone on their migration north.

For more information on Snow Cone's journey, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website.

For more information on the Center for Coastal Studies, click here.