‘Incredibly rare’ whale had never been recorded off Ireland — until now, group says

An “incredibly rare” creature was recently spotted off the coast of Ireland.

A North Atlantic right whale was recorded in Donegal Bay on July 15, according to a news release from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG), a cetacean conservation organization.

It is the only sighting of the species on record with the IWDG database, which dates back to 1990, to be authenticated with photographic evidence. It was confirmed by experts from the New England Aquarium in Boston.

“This is an exceptionally rare record for this side of the Atlantic, where this species has been largely absent for many decades, if not longer,” the release said.

Historically, North Atlantic right whales — which are distinguished by their stocky, dark bodies and lack of dorsal fins — were found in Irish waters.

However, they became prime targets for whalers, in part because they stayed close to shore and floated upon being killed.

As a result, by the late 19th century, they had been hunted nearly to extinction , according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Today, the species is “functionally extinct,” with its population only numbering between 350 and 400 individuals, almost all of which live off the east coast of the U.S.

Although they are protected by law, their outlook is bleak as their numbers continue to dwindle due to vessel strikes and entanglements in fishing gear.

Still, much about the species remains unknown, according to the release, which states, “What we do know about them today, we could write on the back of a postage stamp.”

IWDG asked whale enthusiasts keen on spotting the animal to refrain from doing so in boats, which could potentially fatally injure it.

“There is an enormous onus on us all to ensure this whale remains as long as it needs in Donegal bay, where it’s most likely feeding on tiny copepods, without having to run the gauntlet of small craft and sightseers,” the release said.

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