Photo: New England Aquarium
CAPE COD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Scientists at the New England Aquarium recently spotted an endangered sperm whale adult and calf off the coast of Cape Cod, the aquarium announced Thursday.
The sighting was made on Oct. 19 during an aerial survey over the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. It was the first time the science team saw the species since they started surveying the area six years ago.
The whale and her calf were among 324 marine animals spotted during the five-hour flight over the 5,000-square-mile Monument, which is about 130 miles east/southeast of Cape Cod.
"As scientists who have flown aerial surveys for years, we never take for granted how exciting it is to see whales, sharks, and dolphins in the wild, particularly an endangered sperm whale calf. It’s a reminder of the rich biodiversity of animals that use the Monument," said Sharon Hsu, a research technician with the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium, in a statement.
According to the aquarium, other animals spotted during the Oct. 19 survey include: 117 bottlenose dolphins, four fin whales, 27 Risso’s dolphins, two humpback whales, 15 ocean sunfish, 150 common dolphins, one True’s beaked whale, four unidentified beaked whales, and three sperm whales, including the adult and calf pair.
The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is the only marine national monument in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean.
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