One Of The World's Most Endangered Species Gets Conservation Boost

N​orth Atlantic right whales are perilously close to extinction.

Nearly wiped out by the whaling industry in the 1800s, their biggest threats today are being entangled in fishing gear or getting hit by a ship.

T​he National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration recently announced $9 million in new funding to help, part of an $82 million effort launched last year to help North Atlantic right whale recovery.

Did you know?

-​North Atlantic right whales can live up to 70 years and grow to 52 feet long. They can weigh as much as 140,000 pounds, or 17 times as much as a hippopotamus.

-​There are two other species of right whales, the North Pacific right whale and the Southern right whale. Both are also endangered, with less than 500 North Pacific right whales believed to exist.

-Their name stems from the fact that they floated when they were killed, making them the "right" whales to catch in hunters' eyes, according to NOAA.

Meteorologist Sara Tonks, who also holds a masters in marine science, adds:

-Humans have made it very hard for right whales to survive. And now there's about 360 of them left, according to current estimates, and they're dying at a rate faster than they are being born.

-About 80% of right whales have been involved in entanglement at some point in their life, so even if it’s not deadly they are dragging these pieces of trash around with them or they’re drowning.

What the money will do:

-​The most recent NOAA funding will go to several organizations including Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab and

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

-​Scientists will use it to try and find better ways to monitor right whale populations and to design improved fishing gear.

-​Money previously released as part of the recovery program included a focus on reducing vessel strikes.

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Weather.com reporter Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.