Right Whales and Bowhead Whales: Balaenidae

Bowhead whales and southern right whales are considered at low risk for extinction, dying out. However northern Pacific right whales and northern Atlantic right whales are considered Endangered, facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild, and it is thought that fewer than 250 mature individuals remain. Since commercial whaling began, the population of these two endangered species has been reduced by 95 percent. It is questionable whether they will ever recover.