History
In the 1600’s, bowhead whales were hunted extensively for their blubber and oil. Their population numbers are believed to have dropped from 50,000 individuals to as low as 3,000 by the early 20th century. Although many conservation efforts have been put in place in order to protect the remaining amount of bowhead whales, they still have a long way to go. Their numbers are not currently believed to be declining, but many isolated populations are still classified as either critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable.
More Info
Also known as the Greenland right whale, the Arctic whale, and the Russian whale, the bowhead whale is found only in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters. They are exceptionally large, and can grow to lengths of 60 feet and weigh nearly 100 long tons.