The vaquita is the smallest cetacean, and the most critically endangered marine mammal on the planet. If conservation actions are not successful, it might go extinct within the next couple of years.

#Vaquita #Porpoises are near #extinction with estimated 200 counted #wildlife #marine #photography

The vaquita is a porpoise species (not a dolphin species), but is considered the world’s most-endangered cetacean (after Maui’s dolphin), and thus warrants mentioning. It is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, with as few as 560 animals alive today. Their numbers have been drastically reduced in recent decades due to entanglement in fishing gear – specifically gillnets. #dolphins #CA #LongBeach #Cruises

Vaquita Porpoise - grow to only 5' and are endangered (as of 2021, there are only 10 left)

The Vacquita

With a length of just 5 feet long and weighing just 120 pounds, the world’s smallest porpoise bears a name that is a Spanish word meaning “little cow.” The Vaquita is the rarest m…

“Today’s obscure animal of the day is the vaquita! These are the world’s smallest cetacean! The males average at only 4.9 feet, and the females at 4.6. They mainly live in pairs or small groups. Unfortunately, they’re almost extinct, with only about 10 of them remaining.”

New research suggests that vaquitas are not doomed to extinction by inbreeding.

A new survey mission is underway in the Upper Gulf of California to count the last remaining vaquita while Mexico commits new resources to save vaquita.