"JACKSONVILLE — A critically endangered right whale calf was spotted off Jacksonville on Friday, the first calf of the species seen in nearly two years, giving local whale watchers high hopes for the coming weeks.
The critically endangered right whales typically have migrated to the waters off the Florida and Georgia coasts from Canada and Maine each winter for a calving season. But last year, no right whales were seen off the Atlantic coast of Florida (one was seen off of Panama City Beach though) and no right whale calves were spotted anywhere along the entire United States Atlantic seaboard. Only five calves were counted the previous year.
Friday’s sighting was great news for whale enthusiasts and researchers."
Dinah Voyles Pulver reports for the Panama City News Herald December 30, 2018.
