At The Wilds, we are dedicated to protecting wildlife locally and globally, especially rare and endangered species. One species, in particular, is in need of help, and this Saturday, August 20, 2022, we are joining other organizations in raising awareness about the world’s rarest and most critically endangered marine mammal—the vaquita. Researchers estimate that only eight animals remain in the entire vaquita population.
What is a vaquita?
The vaquita is a small porpoise species that lives in the Upper Gulf of California and Mexico. Vaquita is Spanish word for “little cow.” Scientists discovered this species in 1958. At around 5 feet long, the vaquita is the smallest cetacean in the world.
The vaquita has experienced a drastic population decline in the last 25 years, from 565 animals in 1997 to an estimated eight animals today. The main challenge facing the vaquita is the illegal use of gillnets in the Upper Gulf of California. These nets not only catch the desired target of local fisheries, but also entangle other species like the vaquita. Organizations are working with local fisherman to create more sustainable fisheries in which the nets are taking a targeted product in a sustainable way. (This has shown success for fisherman, the community, and the ecosystem of the Upper Gulf.)
We can help!
While the situation for the vaquita will take continued support and hard work by all involved, there is hope for this porpoise. Recent research shows that although the population size is low, the genetics in vaquita are diverse, and if the threat of gillnets is removed, the population could recover. Surveys of the existing vaquita population determined that group of vaquitas in the Upper Gulf are a breeding population, giving us hope for the future!
Please join us in helping the vaquita by learning more and sharing it with others. If you buy or eat seafood, be sure to look out for sustainably sourced labels. A great resource to find sustainable seafood is the Seafood Watch app, which has information on seafood and the best choices for you and the oceans! By working together, we can make a difference in the future of this critically endangered species.
Be sure to share this post to help spread this important information and make a difference as together we celebrate International Save the Vaquita Day!
Photos taken under permit (Oficio No. DR/488/08 from the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturale Protegidas (CONANP/Secretaria del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT), within a natural protected areas subject to special management and decreed as such by the Mexican Government. This work was made possible thanks to the collaboration and support of the Coordinador de Investigación y Conservación de Mamiferos Marinos at the Instituto Nacional de Ecología (INE).
