Endangered North Atlantic right whales are making a slow comeback

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. The North Atlantic right whale () is one of the most endangered large whales. Their very name references their devastating decline--they were the "right" whales for whalers to target, since the animals floated after being killed. Today, their biggest threats are ship collisions and getting tangled in fishing gear. Estimates for North Atlantic right whale populations are slowly increasing, according to a New England Aquarium statement .