Context: The U.S. government has pushed for expanded offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, overlapping with the habitat of the critically endangered Rice’s whale, raising environmental and conservation concerns.
- Rice’s whale is one of the rarest whale species (Marine mammals), found only in the Gulf of Mexico.
- It is classified as Critically Endangered due to very low population (100 individuals).
- Threats include oil spills, ship strikes, noise pollution, and climate change.
- Offshore drilling involves extraction of petroleum beneath the seabed, often impacting marine ecosystems.
- Endangered Species Act (ESA), 1973 protects species at risk of extinction in the U.S
- Environmental clearances are required to balance development and conservation.
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