Vaquita – Last Chance for the Desert Porpoise

With the recent discovery that China’s Yangtze river dolphin (baiji) is functionally extinct, the vaquita is now recognized as the most endangered cetacean species in the world.

The baiji was the first cetacean species driven to extinction by humans – primarily through entanglements in fishing nets.

Based on abundance estimated in 1997 (567) and information on life history and recent mortality rates, there are estimated to be only about 150 vaquitas remaining. (They are thought to have numbered in the low thousands at the time of discovery). Based on expected levels of decline, this means there is a window of about two years in which to implement solutions to save the species. After that, it will likely be too late.

So shaken by the loss of this 20 million year old species, scientists and conservationists refuses to let the vaquita join the baiji. Fortunately for the vaquita there is still time, but solutions must be implemented now.