One of the world's rarest whales that makes the Atlantic its home grows in population

1 / 2

FILE - This image provided by NOAA shows a North Atlantic right whale in the waters off New England on May 25, 2024. (NOAA via AP, File)

PORTLAND, Maine – One of the rarest whales on the planet has continued an encouraging trend of population growth in the wake of new efforts to protect the giants animals, according to scientists who study them.

The North Atlantic right whale now numbers an estimated 384 animals, up eight whales from the previous year, according to a report by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium released Tuesday. The whales have shown a trend of slow population growth over the past four years.

It's a welcome development in the wake of a troubling decline in the previous decade. The population of the whales, which are vulnerable to collisions with ships and