Rice’s whales, also known as Balaenoptera ricei, are critically endangered baleen whales found exclusively in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
With an estimated population of fewer than 100 individuals, they are one of the most endangered large whales globally. These whales are unique as they are the only baleen species residing year-round in the Gulf.
They face threats from vessel strikes and noise pollution, which exacerbate their already precarious situation due to low genetic diversity and small population size.
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