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Absent for more than a century due to pollution, humpback whales are back in New York Bay. It is now possible to observe them off Manhattan. Every day tourists can meet them for four hours.
With our correspondent in New York , Loubna Anaki
Only a few miles off New York and its skyscrapers, sighting humpback whales was almost impossible for decades. Today, they offer a majestic spectacle to the tourists who come to observe them.
The first humpback whales were seen here in 2011. Since then, every year, more than 300 come back. A phenomenon due to a series of laws put in place in the 1970s for the protection of the environment.
According to Paul Sieswerda, of the Gotham Whale association which observes these cetaceans, the quality of the waters is for many. " Today, instead of pouring polluted water, the Hudson pours nutrients into this New York bay ," he says. We are harvesting the result of everything that has been put in place .
New York City is expecting some showers today, but our minds are on the weather and we've had this past weekend around #NYHarbor
We saw over 200 dolphins and many #whalesightings! ### ###
And humpback whales are not alone. Dolphins and sea lions are also increasing in New York. Gotham Whale's scientists are scared to see this revival of marine life go up in smoke. Since his election, Donald Trump has attacked many laws, including the one protecting endangered species.
We see them at the museum or the aquarium, but here it is in their natural habitat.
[Reportage] The return of humpback whales in New York Bay 19/10/2019 - by RFI Play
► See also: Madagascar: humpback whales come back