Humpback whale numbers fall 20% but scientists aren't worried yet
A sprawling international study of humpback whales in the northern Pacific has found their population has shrunk significantly since 2012 — despite the once-endangered species' remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction.
![Humpback whale numbers fall 20% but scientists aren't worried yet](https://i.cbc.ca/1.6508957.1656815209!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/humpback-whale-sighting.jpg)
![Comox woman Lauren Lan was visited by a humpback whale near her boat in the Georgia Strait on Thursday, June 30 2022. The mouth of a humpback whale is seen emerging from still water, with mountains and islands in the background. The mouth has scales and barnacles on it.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.6508957.1656815209!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/humpback-whale-sighting.jpg)
A sprawling international study of humpback whales in the northern Pacific has found their population has shrunk significantly since 2012 — despite the once-endangered species' remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction.