Things to know about Rice's whale, rare species in way of Trump plans for more Gulf drilling
#Rice's whale #Gulf of Mexico #oil drilling #endangered species #Trump administration #conservation #habitat protection #energy development
📌 Key Takeaways
- Rice's whale is a rare species found in the Gulf of Mexico.
- The whale's habitat is threatened by proposed oil drilling expansion under Trump's plans.
- Conservation efforts are being considered to protect the whale from drilling impacts.
- The situation highlights conflicts between energy development and endangered species protection.
📖 Full Retelling
One of the world’s rarest whales, the Rice's whale, is in the way of the Trump administration's desire to expand oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico
🏷️ Themes
Conservation, Energy Policy
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Original Source
Things to know about Rice's whale, rare species in way of Trump plans for more Gulf drilling One of the world’s rarest whales, the Rice's whale, is in the way of the Trump administration's desire to expand oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico By TAMMY WEBBER Associated Press March 31, 2026, 12:03 AM One of the world’s rarest whales lives in only one place: the Gulf of Mexico, where the Trump administration wants to expand oil and gas drilling that scientists fear could push the giant mammal to extinction. Endangered Rice’s whales live their entire lives in the gulf, where they’re vulnerable to vessel strikes, noise pollution, oil spills and climate change -– all of which could increase with more drilling, scientists said. Other animals, including threatened manatees and endangered sea turtles, also could be put at risk, experts said. As the Iran war pushes energy prices sharply higher , Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth invoked national security in seeking an exemption from endangered species laws, which make it illegal to harm or kill species on a protected list. The Interior Department on Tuesday will consider the request at a meeting of the seldom-used Endangered Species Committee — nicknamed the “God Squad” because it can approve federal projects even they could cause extinction. The department did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. It's the only whale species that lives year-round in the Gulf of Mexico, where there are fewer than 100 — and possibly fewer than 50 — left, scientists said. Recognized as a distinct species in 2021, the Rice's whale is usually found in a narrow area in the northeastern part of the Gulf, in waters 100 to 400 meters deep. They're fairly picky eaters, diving to the gulf floor for fatty fish — mainly silver-rag driftfish — during the day and then resting close to the surface at night, meaning that they are "quite living on the edge,” said Jeremy Kiszka, a biological sciences professor at Florida International Univer...
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