Some whales may live nearly twice as long as believed—if we let them
By Mitch Leslie
Whales are nature’s longevity champions, with some bowhead whales reaching an astonishing 211 years. New research shows that southern right whales may also live far longer than previously thought—over 130 years in some cases. Using decades of photo records and statistical models similar to those used in life insurance, scientists have redefined how we estimate whale lifespans. Unfortunately, North Atlantic right whales face a grim reality, with most living less than 50 years due to human impacts like ship strikes and fishing gear entanglement. This study sheds light on the resilience of whales and highlights the urgent need to protect these incredible creatures for future generations.