* Difficult to Count: Blue whales are migratory and spend a lot of time in deep water, making them hard to track and count.
* Varying Populations: Blue whale populations are not evenly distributed across the globe. Some areas have larger populations than others.
* Constantly Changing: The number of pods is constantly changing due to births, deaths, and movements between populations.
What we do know:
* Blue whales are endangered: While their numbers have increased since the ban on whaling, they are still considered endangered and face threats like pollution, climate change, and ship strikes.
* Estimates Vary: Scientists use various methods to estimate population size, but these numbers vary widely.
* Conservation Efforts: Many organizations work to protect blue whales and their habitat, which is helping their numbers recover.
If you're interested in learning more, I recommend researching specific blue whale populations and their conservation status.