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Entangled North Atlantic right whale spotted in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

In this Thursday, April 11, 2019, photo provided by the Center for Coastal Studies, a baby right whale swims with its mother in Cape Cod Bay off Massachusetts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Amy James/Center for Coastal Studies/NOAA permit 19315-1 via AP In this Thursday, April 11, 2019, photo provided by the Center for Coastal Studies, a baby right whale swims with its mother in Cape Cod Bay off Massachusetts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Amy James/Center for Coastal Studies/NOAA permit 19315-1 via AP
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Fisheries and Oceans Canada is searching for an endangered North Atlantic right whale that was spotted Thursday entangled in some kind of gear east of Gaspe, Que.

The whale is a 14-year-old female known as Sundog.

Federal officials say marine mammal rescue agencies are on standby, though a disentanglement mission won't be attempted unless sea conditions are favourable.

It remains unclear what kind of gear needs to be cut away or where it came from.

There are about 336 North Atlantic right whales in existence, and many spend their summers feeding in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Fifteen calves were observed earlier this year in waters off the United States.

-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 20, 2022.

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