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The Bowhead Whale is considered to be the longest living mammal on our planet, capable of living in excess of 200 years. They spend all their lives in Arctic waters where they can grow to weigh up to 100 tons, and are named after their characteristic massive triangular skull, which they use to break through ice up to eight inches thick.

An early whaling target, these whales were hunted to near extinction, but have survived against the odds, helped by a number of Protection and Preservation Acts since 1931. In 1964, commercial whaling of bowheads was regulated by the International Whaling Commission, later protected by the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, and then the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969.

In 1973 it was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and it is also listed as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Of the five global stocks of bowhead populations, three are listed as endangered, one as vulnerable, and one as lower risk, conservation dependent, according to the IUCN Red List. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the US government list the bowhead whale as federally endangered.