Endangered Right Whales Spotted Off SC Coast

Five of the approximately 400 existing right whales  have been spotted in South Carolina waters.

Two adult whales and three calves have been seen in waters near the Santee River and around Hilton Head, the Post and Courier reports. The sighting lends evidence to the notion that South Carolina waters are a critical part of the species' winter migration routes.

The right whales were nearly wiped out by the whaling industry in the 19th Century.