Study shows population increase of almost-extinct humpback whale species

18 Oct 2019

Study shows population increase of almost-extinct humpback whale species

Study shows population increase of almost-extinct humpback whale speciesWe read about endangered species quite often.

However, for a good change, researchers have said that the Western South Atlantic humpback whale population is in recovery. It had been close to extinction by centuries of exploitation.

There used to be about 27,000 of them but around the 1950s, the number came down to a few hundred due to whaling.
 	Scientists realised only around the 1960s that they were on the edge of extinction and the International Whaling Commission (IWC) worked to ensure protection for them.
 	Thankfully, due to conservation efforts to save them from extinction, now there are around 25,000 whales.

Researchers and conservationists are delighted by the news. It offers hope to revive other almost extinct species.

The IWC oversees the global conservation of whales. It recognizes seven types of humpbacks in the Southern Hemisphere.

What is Whaling?

Whaling is the hunting of whales for their usable products such as meat and blubber(fat).
 	The negative effect of whaling on the overall whale population became very noticeable in the modern age, with people developing new and more dangerous weapons.
 	Humpback whales are especially vulnerable to whaling because they are slow-moving and live closer to the shore.

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We read about endangered species quite often. However, for a good change, researchers have said that the Western South Atlantic humpback whale population is in […]

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