From our collaborating partner Living on Earth, public radio’s environmental news magazine, an interview by producer Aynsley O’Neill with Amy Warren, the scientific program officer at the New England Aquarium.
North Atlantic right whales were once so thoroughly hunted they nearly went extinct. In fact, they were called right whales because they were considered the “right” ones to hunt, as they lived close to shore and floated on the surface once killed.
When hunting these mammals was outlawed, they slowly started to bounce back, but today, right whales are dealing with new deadly threats from humans. So it’s a relief to have a successful calving season like this year, with 23 new calves, the most since 2009.
Amy Warren is the scientific program officer at the New England Aquarium. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
AYNSLEY O’NEILL: Tell me about your role there at the New England Aquarium. How closely do you work with our subject, right whales?
