The southern right whale was so named because whalers called them the “right whale” to kill during a hunt. This was due to their plentiful oil and baleen content, being slow swimmers and floating when killed not sinking so they were easy to tie off next to the boats. Southern right whales live throughout the Southern Hemisphere, they are migratory whales, migrating annually between their warmer breeding areas and colder favourite feeding areas.

Numbers have recovered slightly, thanks to protection, however they face many other threats.

Warming oceans, and changes to ocean processes may alter the distribution and supply of food available to the southern right whale. Research suggests that warming waters may also hamper whale reproduction. It is predicted that the warming of waters and loss of sea ice will alter the distribution and density of prey for whales, such as krill and copepods. 

Entanglement in commercial fishing equipment and marine debris can injure or kill whales. It can also reduce a whale's fitness by restricting its mobility, and impairing its breathing, swimming or feeding. Nets and lines cut through a whale's skin and blubber, exposing the animal to infection, amputation or death.

We need your support to create a future for people and nature

Make a symbolic adoption of a southern right whale today to show your love and support for our wildlife and wild spaces in South Africa.

What is WWF doing?

At WWF we are committed to doing everything we can to mitigate the effects of climate change in order to preserve the planet for all those who live on it to enjoy. WWF South Africa works to influence climate and energy policy, both domestically and internationally, advocating for a just and low-carbon transition. 

Today, there is a major gap between the goals of the Paris Agreement—limiting temperature rise to 1.5 °C—and the goals that countries put forward to meet these goals. Action by businesses and local leaders around the globe has the potential to halve this emissions gap. Through the Alliances for Climate Action, WWF and partners are connecting and supporting this new generation of leaders dedicated to pursuing immediate climate action in their countries and inspiring others around the world to join the growing groundswell of climate action. 

Launched in September 2019, the Alliance for Climate Action-South Africa coalition includes local governments, investors, and businesses across South Africa that have come together to pursue net-zero emissions in their country by 2050.

How does the symbolic adoption work?

First of all: thank you. You’re choosing something different. This is a special gift because it will help protect the beautiful and sometimes fragile environments that surrounds us – for both people and nature.

This is a perfect gift for animal lovers, environmentalists or simply people with a big heart.

What you get

Certificate

A digital symbolic adoption certificate.

Photograph

A beautiful digital photograph.

Cuddly toy

An optional soft toy to love forever. *Toy may vary from image shown.

Regular updates

We'll keep you updated on how you're supporting our vital work including sending you adoption updates two to three times a year.

Did you know?

Whale populations were healthy for several million years before human exploitation drove them to the brink of extinction.

Nineteenth century whaling drastically reduced southern right whale numbers.

Southern right whales feed mostly on plankton and krill.

Hermanus in the Western Cape has become a known center for whale watching.