But this little relative of whales and dolphins is demonstrating the critical dangers many modern species face.
Like with many other endangered species, human activities are the root of the issue.
The alert was issued by the IWC on August 7, 2023.
Two vaquita porpoises. (Photo: NOAA viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
The main goal of the alert is awareness and motivating action.
However, there is some hope.
The remaining tiny porpoiseswhich measure about 4 or 5 feet in lengthseem to be healthy and happy.
The vaquita porpoise’s size in comparison to an average human. (Photo: Chris_huh viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 3.0)
Their population, while perilously small, has remained relatively stable since 2019.
There is even currently a young calf.
There is at least one brand new baby vaquita, Porter noted.
The vaquita’s tiny range. (Photo:NOAA)
They havent stopped breeding.
If we can take away this one pressure, the population may recover.
We cant stop now.
Fishermen in the gulf are illegally targeting totoaba fish which are sold for traditional medicine practices in China.
However, this has only moved the practice a bit further out.
The IWC hopes their extinction alert will galvanize world leaders to create solutions.
If this doesnt happen now, it will be too late.
The vaquita porpoise’s size in comparison to an average human.
The vaquita’s tiny range.
