Researchers photographed North Atlantic right whale Silt with a calf on September 25. After carefully studying the photos, scientists confirmed this was a previously undocumented baby, bringing this season’s total to 24 calves. That is the fourth-highest number of documented mother-and-calf pairs ever recorded. Silt is at least 38 years old, and this is her sixth known calf. She has three grandchildren and welcomed her first great-grandchild this year. What an incredible family legacy. ❤️ But Silt’s story also shows what these whales are going through. She has survived at least five fishing-gear entanglements, some leaving deep scars. Her 2022 calf, Division, died from a severe entanglement earlier this year. Her eldest calf was killed by a vessel strike in 2005. There are only about 380 North Atlantic right whales left, with only approximately 70 breeding females. This is down from 90 documented in 2021. Every calf is a reason to celebrate, and every whale deserves a safer ocean. We can help by sharing their stories, learning about the protections that reduce fishing-gear entanglements and vessel strikes, and continuing to speak up for the changes they need to survive. You can read and share the New England Aquarium’s announcement here. And if you want to learn more https://www.neaq.org/about-us/press-room/press-releases/in-surprise-sighting-previously-unknown-north-atlantic-right-whale-calf-is-spotted-in-canadian-waters/ If you want to learn more about our oceans, you can sign up free for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s weekly newsletter, which includes stories from Oceanus Magazine here.

Wanted to share Frankie in her adorable rainbow Pride dress! 🌈 Also showing off one of my new Cause and Chaos shirts and the Cause and Chaos teacup I picked up as a birthday gift for my boss. 💕

Hey everyone! my name is Mel, and I am new to the group! Thanks for having me! Little about me, I am a teacher, a small business owner, and a mother of 5 amazing furbabies! I have three labs who currently share one brain cell, (Seamus, Sterling and Charlie) and two kitties (Smitten and Monkey). I live with them on 1 acre in Ferndale, WA. We have lived in WA since August of 2021, and we LOVE living in the PNW! A very nice change from Austin, TX :). Looking forward to getting to know everyone and learning and growing! Here are a few pictures of my babies!

Shadow is exhausted

We've been fostering for at least three years now. Here are some of our others. I promise I'll stop posting now. 😀