Once numbering in the tens of thousands, the North Pacific right whale was driven to the brink of extinction; now it's estimated that fewer than 50 animals remain in the eastern population. Despite this, one of these rare animals was seen this May off Point Reyes, CA. So how do you study the proverbial needle in a very large haystack? Come learn about North Pacific right whales as Jessica Crance, Marine Mammal biologist and right whlae specialist, talks about their dark history, the research being done to save them, and the struggles and rewards of studying one of the most critically endangered large whale populations in the world.

This free event is open to the public. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. A suggested donation of $10 per participant is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Donations help cover webinar costs and support our education and cetacean research grant programs. To donate, please visit our website https://www.acs-sfbay.org/donate. We are grateful for your support!

Bio: Jessica Crance is a research biologist at the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center's Marine Mammal Laboratory. She joined the lab’s Cetacean Assessment and Ecology Program in 2009 after completing her M.S. at the University of San Diego on killer whale vocal development. Her research focuses on marine mammal passive acoustics, with an emphasis on population monitoring, spatio-temporal distribution, vocal behavior, and call characteristics of Arctic and sub-Arctic marine mammals. She has studied marine mammals across the North Pacific and Alaskan Arctic using a variety of acoustic platforms, with a focus on finding and studying the critically endangered North Pacific right whale.