Squilla embraced motherhood. When she was first seen with her new calf in January 2021 off the Georgia coast, mother and daughter swam so closely that they were touching. The baby played in the water, as calves often do, and Squilla joined in, exposing her belly to the sky. The birth of Squilla’s calf was a significant event for their species, the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale. As one of only about 70 mothers, Squilla is part of a small group that represents the species’ last hope for survival. The fact that Squilla had a daughter made the birth even more meaningful, offering the potential for a new generation of matriarchs.
