vaquita
Gulf of California
The vaquita is a small porpoise native to the Gulf of California, distinguished by dark rings around its eyes and mouth.
It is the world's most endangered marine mammal, with fewer than a dozen individuals remaining due to entanglement in illegal fishing nets.
Conservation efforts have failed to save the vaquita from near-certain extinction.
Small toothed whale relative
- cetaceanAquatic mammal order
- marine mammalWarm-blooded ocean dweller
- endemicNative to one area
- blowholeWhale's breathing aperture
flippers · dorsal fin · echolocation · calves · pods · aquatic · mammalogy · marine biology
Mesh that entangles fish
- bycatchNon-target species caught accidentally
- illegal fishingUnlicensed taking of aquatic life
- overfishingUnsustainable marine harvest
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
entanglement · poaching · fishing nets · organized crime · black market
Limited in size
- diminutiveVery small, or nickname form
- tinyExtremely small in size
- petiteSmall and delicate
- compactTightly packed together
grey · countershading · dorsal · ventral · stocky · rounded · distinctive markings
Guarding against harm
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- refugePlace of safety
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- wildlifeUndomesticated natural organisms
preservation · activism · awareness · legislation · ecosystem · sustainability · biodiversity · stewardship
At extinction's edge
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- CITESWildlife trade agreement
- population declineDecreasing number of inhabitants
- conservation statusSpecies extinction risk rating
genetic diversity · endemic species · biodiversity loss · wildlife trade · environmental policy
porpoise
Small toothed whale relative
- cetaceanAquatic mammal order
- marine mammalWarm-blooded ocean dweller
- endemicNative to one area
blowhole · flippers · dorsal fin · echolocation · calves · pods · aquatic · mammalogy · marine biology · oceanic
gillnets
Mesh that entangles fish
- bycatchNon-target species caught accidentally
- illegal fishingUnlicensed taking of aquatic life
- overfishingUnsustainable marine harvest
habitat loss · entanglement · poaching · fishing nets · organized crime · black market
small
Limited in size
- diminutiveVery small, or nickname form
- tinyExtremely small in size
- petiteSmall and delicate
compact · grey · countershading · dorsal · ventral · stocky · rounded · distinctive markings
protection
Guarding against harm
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- refugePlace of safety
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
wildlife · preservation · activism · awareness · legislation · ecosystem · sustainability · biodiversity · stewardship · research
critically endangered
At extinction's edge
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- CITESWildlife trade agreement
- population declineDecreasing number of inhabitants
conservation status · genetic diversity · endemic species · biodiversity loss · wildlife trade · environmental policy
vaquitaorca
Large predatory dolphin
common dolphin · bottlenose dolphin · humpback whale · minke whale · spinner dolphin