Southern Right Whales Bring a Wave of Hope to South Australia

 This winter, South Australia’s coastline has welcomed nearly 200 endangered southern right whales—a breathtaking reminder that nature, even when battered, still finds ways to heal.

Marine scientists from Flinders University have called this year’s calving season a “sign of hope,” with record sightings at Head of Bight, Fowlers Bay, and Encounter Bay. Among them are mothers returning to familiar waters—some for the twelfth time—guided by an ancient memory that links generations through place.

It’s no small feat. These whales were hunted to near extinction in the 19th and 20th centuries, and though protected since 1935, their recovery has been slow and fragile. Today, they remain endangered, with population estimates hovering around 16–26% of pre-whaling levels. Recent data also shows a worrying decline in calf numbers since 2017.

And yet, this season’s abundance offers a counterpoint to despair. Amid the ongoing impact of a harmful algal bloom—one that’s claimed other marine life—these whales have returned. They’ve calved. They’ve nursed. They’ve reminded us that restoration is possible.

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Great Australian Bight Marine Park, a vital sanctuary for southern right whales. It’s a timely celebration of what long-term protection can achieve—and a call to keep going.

At All Things Good, we believe that environmental wins don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. This season’s whales are not just statistics. They’re stories of survival, memory, and maternal devotion. They’re a living testament to what happens when we choose to protect rather than exploit.

Let’s keep watching. Let’s keep caring. And let’s keep celebrating every ripple of recovery.

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