First right whale calves of the season spotted off Georgia coast

Right whale calving season has begun.

The first and second calves of the season have been spotted off the coast of Georgia.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, every winter, pregnant female North Atlantic right whales migrate south to Florida and Georgia’s Atlantic coast to give birth and nurse their young.

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The first calf was seen 11 miles east of Ossabaw Island on Dec. 7. Right whale #1208, nicknamed “Medusa,” was first sighted in 1981 and is at least 41 years old. She gave birth to her seventh known calf.

The second calf was spotted the next day about 4 nautical miles off Little St. Simons Island.

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Right whale #3370 is at least 20 years old and last gave birth four years ago. This is her third calf.

There are fewer than 350 right whales in existence, according to the Georgia DNR.

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