Humpback whales, gentle giants known for their haunting songs and acrobatic breaches, are a success story of the Endangered Species Act, which has just turned 50, having been signed into law in 1973. Humpback whales were once on the edge of extinction, largely due to commercial whaling, but thanks to conservation efforts, their population has bounced back from around 5,000 in 1966 to an estimated 135,000 today. So spread the word, support conservation efforts, participate in local initiatives, and be eco-friendly.

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