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Hi John,
A two-month-old North Atlantic right whale calf has suffered terrible injuries to its head and face after being struck by a vessel.
It's heartbreaking that the calf, spotted last week off the South Carolina coast, isn't expected to survive. These endangered whales urgently need more protection from vessel strikes, and we're fighting to get it for them.
Please help now with a gift to the Saving Life on Earth Fund.
As few as 360 North Atlantic right whales are left on Earth.
The calf was the eighth for her mother, a whale named Juno whose family already had a tragic history — at least two dozen entanglements with fishing gear and two previous vessel strikes.
Such strikes are a primary threat to these whales. Analysis of photos indicates it probably wasn't even a large vessel that struck the young calf.
But the boat was likely moving so fast, its propeller caused such significant injuries. This is why the Center has taken emergency legal actions pushing NOAA Fisheries to strengthen the rules on vessel speeds.
For years the agency has refused to increase protections. It's unacceptable when these whales are going extinct before our eyes.
Imposing speed limits is an easy way to save these treasured animals.
With fewer than 70 breeding whales remaining, this population could go extinct without swift help. The calf who was struck was only the ninth born this year. Each whale lost is a wrenching setback.
We'll do all we can to force the feds to act so that no more whale calves are maimed or killed by boats.
Please stand with us by donating today to the Saving Life on Earth Fund.
For the wild,
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