Speed Reading — Level 1 — 100 wpm 

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Scientists have good news - numbers of blue whales in the eastern Pacific Ocean are at their highest in over a century. Researchers say there are over 2,200 blue whales between Mexico and Alaska. Hunters nearly made them extinct until whaling became illegal in 1971. Since then, they started increasing in number. It has taken 40 years for them to recover. Dr Cole Monnahan was very happy. He said: "For us, this is a great conservation success story."

Dr Monnahan said the number of blue whales might not rise above 2,200. He said: "If there were about 2,200 whales to begin with, then that is what the environment can support." He warned that the creature still needs protection and monitoring. He said without this, the whales could become extinct. He added that the increase in numbers shows, "the ability of blue whale populations to rebuild under careful management and conservation measures".

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