Experts: Mexico’s Vaquita porpoise headed toward extinction

This 1992 photo released by Omar Vidal shows a dead totoaba, top, and a vaquita marina after they were caught in gillnet, set by fishermen to catch totoaba fish in the El Golfo de Santa Clara, in the northern part of Mexico’s Sea of Cortez. Scientists are warning that the population of Mexico’s endangered vaquita marina, the world’s smallest porpoise, has fallen to alarmingly low levels and is heading toward extinction soon if drastic measures aren’t taken. The results of a survey by the International Commission for the Recovery of the Vaquita were released Friday, May 13, 2016 by Mexico’s Environment Department. AP

MEXICO CITY — Scientists are warning that the population of Mexico’s endangered vaquita marina, the world’s smallest porpoise, has fallen to alarmingly low levels and is heading toward extinction soon if drastic measures aren’t taken.

A survey by the International Commission for the Recovery of the Vaquita found that as of December there were probably only about 60 of the shy, elusive creatures left in the upper Sea of Cortez. That’s the only place where they are found.

Since that time three vaquitas were found dead during just three weeks in March by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

The vaquitas are threatened primarily by gillnet fishing for the totoaba fish, another endangered species that is hunted in the same area.

The results of the survey were released Friday evening by Mexico’s Environment Department.

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