How many millions of whales have been killed?

It is estimated that over 2 million whales have been killed by humans since the beginning of recorded history. The majority of these deaths occurred during the period of commercial whaling, which lasted from the 16th to the 20th centuries. During this time, whales were hunted for their oil, meat, and other products, and their populations were severely depleted. In some cases, entire species of whales were brought to the brink of extinction.

Today, commercial whaling is largely banned under international law, but some countries still continue to hunt whales for scientific research or subsistence purposes. In addition, whales continue to face threats from pollution, habitat loss, and ship strikes. As a result, many whale populations remain at risk of extinction.