A southern right whale female rolling on her side, and exposing her lateral side to the surface while gently touching her calf. Photos were taken under research permit.

But when a pod of North Atlantic right whales comes into view, the buzz of excitement fills the plane. The pilot banks to circle, and the crew gathers to one side for a better view.

It was a rare sign of good news for the beleaguered North Atlantic right whales, among the most endangered species on the planet.There are thought to be 411 left — down from nearly 500 in 2010 ...

The whales often feed close to shore, though, offering people a chance to view the animals from the shore. Endangered North Atlantic right whales have been spotted off the coast of Cape Cod over ...

Feeding frenzy for whales in Gulf of Maine 00:32. PORTLAND, Maine - It's a feeding frenzy in the waters off New England. Researchers have been amazed by the number of whales - sometimes chowing ...

The estimated population of North Atlantic right whales found off the nation’s East Coast was adjusted upward slightly in new estimates released Monday. Scientists estimate the population at 356 ...

A North Atlantic right whale and her calf were spotted off the South Carolina coast on Nov. 15. It’s the first sighting of the season, according to NOAA.

The encounter showed the playful killer whale perform a belly roll right beneath the surface of the 21-foot fishing boat. "I mean I could have reached out and touched it," he said.

No one was injured when the whale lept from the ... flipping the vessel onto its side. Video shows ... at least 100 to 600 feet from humpbacks and 500 yards from North Atlantic right whales, ...

It is illegal to get within 500 yards of a North Atlantic right whale without a research permit. The whales often feed close to shore, though, offering people a chance to view the animals from the ...