Why is a whale native to the North Pacific spotted in New England?

Scientists from the New England Aquarium in Boston have confirmed the presence of a gray whale off New England, a species extinct in the Atlantic for two centuries. Discovered 30 miles south of Nantucket, the finding underscores the impact of climate change on sea life. The gray whale, typically in the northern Pacific, vanished from the Atlantic by the 18th century. The recent observation suggests its return, possibly due to the warming planet allowing it to travel through the ice-free Northwest Passage. Researchers believe this serves as a reminder of marine species’ rapid response to climate change. Gray whales, once nearly hunted to extinction, have recovered, though the western population off Asia remains endangered.

Source – CGTN