Vaquita

Hello everybody,

This post is going to be about the critically endangered vaquita. The vaquita is the world’s smallest porpoise (which is similar to a dolphin, but not quite one) and there are less than two hundred individuals left on the planet. FUN FACT: The vaquita was not discovered until 1958! Generally, the vaquitas are found in shallow waters along the Gulf of California, but whenever a boat nears it, the vaquita will swim away quickly. This is one of the reasons that there is not much known about them. The main reason for the animal’s decline is bycatch. This is when animals are caught in gillnets by accident and are drowned. For the population of the vaquita to recover again, it takes a lot of precautions and rules to be set down. Bycatch has to be completely eradicated in order for the species to make a comeback again, along with many other underwater animals that are harmed due to bycatch. Vaquitas are in danger of being the closest to becoming extinct from the Cetacean family (dolphins, whales, and marine mammals). It is time to pay attention to all endangered animals, even some of the uncommon ones!

For more information on how to help out the beloved and critically endangered vaquita, visit their World Wild Life page.

Well that’s a wrap, so until next time,

SVR