The California blue whale, the largest animal on the planet, has recovered from near extinction.

Blue whale numbers sank to a low of 460 in the 1970s but there are now some 2,200 blue whales in the current population in the Pacific Ocean, according to a new study.

The key point to this study is that the West Coast blue whale population of around 2,200 is fully capable of supporting the whole ocean ecosystem in the Pacific West Coast, said University of Washington scientists Cole Monnahan, Trevor Branch and André Punt.

Like Us on Facebook

By nature and habit, the blue whale is a private creature that mates in the ocean far away from coasts. Tracking devices haven't been able to pinpoint the exact mating area of these creatures.

Scientists have also had difficulties gathering more accurate statistics within the blue whale population. 

In 1905, there were about 3,400 blue whales in the Pacific Ocean population. This number seems to have held steady until the time the International Whaling Commission intervened in 1971 to save the remaining 460 blue whales.

Since scientists can only make an educated estimate of the entire blue whale population but they contend there is an urgent need for maintaining the population at a healthy level.

Blue whales also maintain the ocean's ecosystem. When whales dive deep into the ocean and feed, they release a fecal plume that rises to the top and supports plankton growth, said Joe Roman, a biologist from the University of Vermont.

This biological process is called the "whale pump" and it starts a series of biological events essential for countering the effects of climate change.

Japanese whalers are infamous for their rampant slaughter of these creatures. Other whalers such as the Russians used to take a heavy toll of the whales until they stopped harpooning in 1971.

TagsBlue Whale Population Increase Could Hold the Key to Planet's Survival, california blue whale, blue whales, california blue whales recover, blue whale population recovers