Interesting Facts The vaquita is the most endangered marine mammal in the world. First assessed as critically endangered in a 1996 IUCN report, the vaquita has become a symbol for environmental sustainability.
Another frequent query is “When was the vaquita listed as endangered?”.
Vaquitas have been listed as an endangered species since 1985 under the U. S. Endangered Species Act and since 1994 under Mexico’s equivalent law. The Vaquita Refuge area, created in 2005, was an attempt to help protect the Vaquitas natural habitat. Altogether, it covers about 50% of their distribution.
Is the vaquita extinct?
Vaquitas and other animals like sea turtles can become entangled in the nets and drown. “ They’re going extinct because of human activities, even though it could be avoided,” said Jorge Urbán.
Moreover, can the vaquita be saved from extinction?
The window of opportunity for saving the vaquita is closing fast, but extinction is still preventable. You can help by making the right choices at the supermarket, by donating to conservation efforts, or simply by spreading the word.
Why is the vaquita endangered?
Nearly one out of every five vaquita get entangled and drown in gillnets intended for other marine species like the totoaba, a critically endangered fish also found in the upper Gulf of California. Entanglement in gillnets set for totoaba was the primary cause that brought the vaquita to low levels by the mid-1970s.
This little porpoise was only discovered in 1958, yet it’s already on the brink of extinction.
Vaquitas share waters with the much sought-after totoaba fish and fishing nets inadvertently catch and drown the porpoise.
How is the vaquita adapted to its habitat?
Vaquitas are the only porpoise species adapted to living in warm water. Most porpoises inhabit water that is cooler than 20 o C (68 o F) whereas vaquita are able to tolerate water that fluctuates from 14 o C (57 o F) in the winter to 36 o C (97 o F) in the summer.
The Vaquita is only found in the northern area of the Gulf of California, in the Sea of Cortez. This species is generally only found in water which is less than 30 metres deep all the way to the shallows. The Vaquita is the smallest and most endangered cetacean species along with being one of the most endangered species on the planet.
How many vaquita are left in the world?
The vaquita is the most endangered cetacean in the world. With as few as around 10 left, the species will become extinct without a fully enforced gillnet ban throughout their entire habitat. WWF is urgently working to ensure they can live and thrive in their natural habitat.