Crossword Genius

Endangered species in the country we hear (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

whales

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'endangered species' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'in the country we hear' is the wordplay.
'in the' indicates putting letters inside.
'country' becomes 'wales' (country of the UK).
'we hear' becomes 'h' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'wales' placed around 'h' is 'WHALES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for whales that I've seen before include "Aquatic mammals" , "Beasts" , "Great mammals of the sea" , "Large cetacean mammals" , "Great ocean mammals" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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