305: humpback whales resurgent

Great news for whale watchers today, as reported by the UK's Guardian newspaper. According to today's linked article, the number of humpback whales globally is on the rise, due to the long term impact of a worldwide hunting ban enacted 40 years ago. It is thought that there are now about 40,000 adult whales and 15,000 juveniles across the globe, and as a result the IUCN has reclassified the species from 'vulnerable' to 'of least concern'. Many other marine species remain endangered, of course - some critically so. But the success of conservation efforts affecting the humpback whale shows what can be done. (Beautiful photo from EPA/Guardian.)