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Whale Wars

 
 
FIN WHALE
Balaenoptera physalus

Scientists calculate that 2,039,621 whales were killed in Antarctica's Southern Ocean during the decades of industrial whaling. The fin whale was the most commonly caught whale during this time; roughly three quarters of a million were killed. Today, only a small fraction of the fin whale's original numbers remain. In spite of the fin's endangered status, they are again being taken, albeit in very small numbers, by pro-whaling nations.

COMING SOON: The Second Largest Animal Alive: The enormous fin whale takes a back seat only to the even bigger blue in terms of sheer size. Find out more.

COMING SOON: The Fin Whale, Then and Now: Caught in greater numbers than any other whale during the 20th century, the heavily exploited fin whale is being targeted once again. Find out more.

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Meet the Whales

sperm whale SPERM WHALE
The archetypal whale, hunted for its fine oil, unique spermaceti and mysterious ambergris. 		minke whale MINKE WHALE
The smallest of the baleen whales, and the only one still being taken in large numbers. 		blue whale BLUE WHALE
The largest animal ever, and among the most endangered after decades of intense whaling.
right whale RIGHT WHALE
Slow, rich in blubber and considered the "right" whale to hunt — until mere hundreds remained. 		humpback whale HUMPBACK WHALE
The most charismatic and beloved of whales, yet subject to centuries of intense and illegal hunting. 		fin whale FIN WHALE
Killed in greater numbers than any other whale during the decades of industrial whaling.
 
 
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