The world's most endangered marine mammal, the vaquita, is teetering on the edge of extinction. A recent survey revealed a devastating decline, with only 6-8 individuals spotted compared to 8-13 just a year ago.
These shy porpoises, found exclusively in Mexico's upper Gulf of California, face a constant threat from entanglement in illegal fishing gear.
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Despite their critical status, vaquitas remain shrouded in a bit of mystery. Their secretive nature, with most of their time spent underwater and a lack of flashy displays like jumps, makes precise population estimates challenging.
However, the complete absence of calves sighted during the latest survey paints a grim picture.
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Discovered as recently as the 1950s, these fascinating creatures boast unique physical features. Dark rings around their eyes and lips, along with a coat of varying grey tones, set them apart. Newborns are even more distinctive, sporting a darker overall coloration and a striking grey fringe.
Their preferred habitat lies in the Gulf's shallow near-shore waters, but they are quick to vanish when boats appear.
Conservation efforts are no longer a matter of urgency, but of desperation. Immediate action is needed to pull the vaquita back from the precipice of extinction.
