The vaquita is a type of dolphin that are nearly extinct. There are only 8 left in the world. Not many people are aware of vaquita’s and what they are, so here it comes! Vaquita’s look very different to common dolphins because vaquitas are not that close dolphins. They are actually a type of porpoise. Porpoises are Dolphins but look different and not many know of them. Did you know vaquitas are called panda of the sea for there unusual colours? Please help save the vaquita by putting up posters and if you need, National Vaquita Day is on the 7th July! Thank you! By Coral

Help Save A Critically Endangered Porpoise

The vaquita is a small species of porpoise that is found in the warm water around the Gulf of California and northern Mexico. It is most known for being the most endangered marine animal as in the wild, its critically endangered with it’s survival down to just 8 individuals. It is due to fishing nets, that the vaquita is in such crisis. Often, while vaquitas are swimming close to fishing boats, they accidentally get trapped in the netting and therefore die. Vaquita are a protected species but even that cannot stop the accidental deaths of them. These beautiful animals are the smallest cetaceans in the world, reaching a weight of 46kg, a length of 5ft and a height of 5 inches. But subsequently they are targeted by large predators such as orcas and sharks. Their diet consists of small fish, crustaceans and squid, which they cease to catch, though they only reach a maximum speed of 7mph. Little is know about the elusive vaquita as they have never been kept in captivity but scientists estimate that vaquitas live for about 21 years. Sadly, many of the current vaquitas are getting towards the end of their lives but if we remove the hazardous fishing nets, we may be able to secure a future for the vaquita.

This part was by Gedemsa