§ 300-600 Northern Right Whales
§ 3,000-2,000,000 Sperm Whales
§ 6,000-9,000 Humpback Whales
§ 20,000-60,000 Fin Whales
§ 15,000-25,000 Gray Whales
§ 25,000-45,000 Narwhal Whales
§ An unknown number of Orca Whales
There used to be millions of each species of whale.
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Large whales were very popular, because they provided more materials than small whales. There were more than 200,000 blue whales in 1900, and by 1967, there were only 6,000 left. When blue whales became scarce, other large whales were hunted, until scientists saw the decline in whale populations.
o Some whales, like the Northern Right Whale, which has been protected for more than 65 years and only have a population of a couple hundred, are not doing well in repopulation, while others are doing very well.
*** DID YOU KNOW?***
Scientists today have a complicated process of ESTIMATING( remember it is only an estimation and the actual number can vary by 50 %) the populations of whales. They make sure they cover a large area by moving slowly in a zigzag course. Using binoculars, researchers scan the horizon for blowhole spouts or surfacing whales. Then they record the whale’ s approximate location in relation to the boat, and the
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