Will there be whales left for our kids to watch?

Scientists estimate that every day, the earth loses 150-200 species of mammal, plant, insect or bird. Human activity, including climate change, is at least partly responsible. That rate of extinction is 1,000 times the normal rate.

These are desperate times for non-human inhabitants of our planet. But that sort of statistic-heavy, macro view of the crisis can allow us to view it from a distance, as if we were somehow uninvolved bystanders. Take a close look at a specific example, close to home, which should also be close to our heads and hearts.

The total population of North Atlantic right whales is thought to be about 450. In the past three months, 13 of them have died either in or near the Gulf of St. Lawrence off Canada’s east coast. The cause of death isn’t known for all, but in several cases carcasses have shown the signs of blunt trauma — ship collisions. In other cases whales have died after getting tangled in fishing gear. In other words, human actions are responsible for putting this already endangered species in further jeopardy.

It’s not unusual for these whales to reach 15 meters in length, weighing up to 65 tonnes. But as mighty, majestic and intelligent as they are, they are no match for human technology and activity. Do we care?

Thankfully, the governments of Canada and the U.S. do, although they were painfully slow to show it.

For reasons not entirely understood, the whales have been moving north. It’s believed changes in food supply caused by climate change are among the reasons, but regardless, as they move north into busier commercial territory, they are increasingly at risk. The result, says whale biologist Moira Brown, has been “an unprecedented number of deaths.” She adds that if the deaths continue, the “population can’t withstand” it. We could be looking at extinction.

The federal government finally responded earlier this month. It ordered speed reductions for ships in the area, and delayed the start of commercial fishing. Shipping companies and the commercial fishing industry have been quick to respond. The U.S. government has launched an investigation into the deaths and why the whales are moving north.

This isn’t the first time humans have nearly ended the North Atlantic right whale. In the early 20th century, whalers reduced the population to near-extinction levels. By the early ’90s there were less than 300 left. Good fortune and human intervention helped restore and stabilize the population, until this new crisis.

Seeing these creatures from a safe distance is an amazing experience. When they breach, cavort with their calves, or just glide along and near the surface of the water, they are aweinspiring. If you haven’t had the chance to experience this, hopefully you will. Assuming, of course, that there are whales left to watch.