Scientists Excited for 'First' from Endangered New York Whale

Scientists were overjoyed during a recent whale sighting off the coast of New York. It was a "first" worthy of celebration.

While bears, moose, and even mink and fishers get the majority of wildlife attention in the state, there's an equal number of fascinating activity in the water (have you ever seen a seahorse in the Hudson River?). Recently, the focus was all on a local whale.

A 15-year-old North Atlantic right whale was spotted off the coast of New York with a very special addition (NYS DEC via Facebook)

Endangered Whale Spotted on New York Coast

"Last week, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center spotted a North Atlantic right whale mom-calf pair!", began a recent post from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC). What was so special was which whale they had seen.

An endangered North Atlantic right whale was recently spotted with a new calf (NYS DEC via Facebook)

New Whale Calf Seen in New York Waters

The animal in question, a 15-year-old right whale named Accordion, was a first-time mother, huge news for the species that is listed as endangered in New York. In a second piece of helpful information, the whale's name serves as an important safety reminder to all New Yorkers.

Safety Regulations for Whale Watching in New York

The NYS DEC shared that the whale received the name Accordion after researchers observed scarring on her back that was likely caused by a boat propeller. They used the opportunity to remind other boaters about special precautions to take while in the presence of whales:

North Atlantic right whales are difficult for boat operators to see [and are] at high risk of being hit by a vessel. If a whale approaches within 100 feet of your vessel, put your engine in neutral. Do not re-engage your engine until the whale is observed on the surface, outside of the 300-foot or 1500-foot (if it’s a right whale) zone.

Scientists shared that the combination of the dark color of right whales, as well as the absence of a dorsal fin that would stick out of the water, both contribute to incidents between right whales and boats.

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North Atlantic right whales are listed as an endangered species in New York. Recently, researchers were able to track a historic gathering of the whales thanks to a large accumulation of whale poop spotted in the water.