Scientists discovered an unknown baby right whale off Canada. They say it's a cause for joy

Researchers captured images of an unidentified baby North Atlantic right whale off Anticosti Island, Quebec in September

Scientists determined the calf was likely born months earlier and went unseen during winter surveys

The discovery brings the season's calf count to 24, the most productive year since 2009 and fourth-highest on record

The whale was seen with its mother, a 38-year-old whale known as Silt

February 2026: Silt, the calf's mother, was briefly seen in southeastern U.S. calving grounds · spring and summer: Boat-based and aerial surveys along the U.S. East Coast failed to spot the calf · September: Researchers with Mingan Island Cetacean Study photographed the unidentified calf off Anticosti Island, Quebec · this week: New England Aquarium announced the calf had been identified from photo analysis

15,000 lbs (6,804 kg) baby whale's weight · 24 calves this season · 380 total population · 38 mother's age · 70 reproductive-age females · 25% population decline

It's possible Silt had the calf in the southeastern U.S. but left before researchers could document them together