Rice's whales, one of the most endangered whale species in the world, with only 51 remaining, are at risk of extinction due to delayed protections in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has cited energy exploration, vessel strikes, and underwater noise as major threats to the whales, but has repeatedly delayed implementing measures to address these risks. The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 further endangered the Rice's whales, prompting more attention to their plight, but NOAA's response and actions have been slow, causing concern for the survival of the species.