Livia De George, age 12, of Oakland, Calif., for her question:

IS IT TRUE THAT THE GREAT WHALES ARE NEAR EXTINCTION?

There are several species of great whales and all of their numbers are greatly reduced. Sad to say, the biggest are close to extinction and experts suspect that it is too late to save them. Perhaps the most endangered species is the great blue whale, the largest of all animals. Another is the right whale, whose chances of survival are very slim indeed.

The humpbacked whale, though very rare, may survive ¬if strict laws are enforced to protect him. Another threatened species is the great grey whale. Though whalers have been warned, Japanese and Russian ships still insist on hunting this gentle giant in the Pacific Ocean.