The critically endangered vaquita porpoise is threatened by illegal poachers and is nearing extinction. Sea Shepherd’s Operation Milargo III aims to help.
The most critically endangered marine mammal on earth, the tinyvaquita porpoise is facing the possibility of extinctiondue to illegal fishing practices in the Sea of Cortez. Found only in the northern portion of the Sea of Cortez, the tiny vaquita is the smallest cetacean in the world. Estimates indicate there may be as few as 60 individuals remaining. Nicknamed the “panda of the sea” for their distinctive facial markings, these small porpoises reach lengths of up to 55 inches. Unfortunately, the population is in decline (with some estimates of extinction possible within 5 years) due to illegal gillnet fishing in the Sea of Cortez.Sea Shepherd Conservation Societyis working closely with the Mexican government in a direct action campaign to protect these charismatic creatures from destruction. The campaign, titledMilagro (“milagro” means “miracle” in Spanish) includes actively patrolling for poachers and gathering crucial scientific data.
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