On the other hand, one every three years may be the straw that broke the whale's back. Especially an animal with such a low reproductive rate. If they breed once every three years......

The idea that creatures go extinct if they can't adapt puts ALL the pressure on the animal or plant. "I want to drive my boat at 30 mph. If the whales can't adapt to that, so be it." Why can't the boat driver adapt to a lower speed? Seems to me to be awfully arrogant to believe that the world must adjust to whatever you want to do.