Rare southern right whale mother and calf spotted along Australia's eastern coast

STORY: Rare southern right whale mother and calf spotted along Australia's eastern coast DATELINE: Aug. 20, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:31 LOCATION: SYDNEY, Australia CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of the whale and calf (courtesy of Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia) STORYLINE: A southern right whale mother and calf are spotted in waters along Australia's eastern coast. The New South Wales (NSW) Environment and Heritage Group said on Sunday that it is believed the calf was born around July 25. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has been tracking the pair since July 27 and called on the public to keep their distance to avoid disturbing the whales. Southern right whales are an endangered species, with less than 270 in the southeast Australian population. This calf is one of the only two calves recorded in the state this year, according to the authorities. NPWS also urged all watercraft, including vessels, surfers, jet skis to stay at least 300 meters awa