Meet the Vaquita
The smallest and most endangered porpoise on Earth
🐬 Smallest Cetacean
At just 4.5 to 5 feet long and weighing 60-120 pounds, the vaquita is the world's smallest porpoise. Females are slightly larger than males.
👀 Distinctive Features
Dark rings around their eyes and lips give them an adorable appearance. They have a tall, triangular dorsal fin—the tallest of any porpoise—and a rounded head with no beak.
🌍 Only One Home
Vaquitas exist in only one place on Earth: the Upper Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico. Their entire habitat is just 4,000 square kilometers.
🗣️ Echolocation Masters
They use high-frequency clicks (up to 150 kHz) for echolocation to navigate murky waters and locate prey. These sounds are among the highest frequency of any cetacean.
🏊 Shy & Elusive
Vaquitas are extremely shy. They avoid boats, rarely breach the surface, and only come up briefly to breathe—making them incredibly difficult to study and photograph.
🍽️ Diverse Diet
They eat over 21 different species including small fish (grunts, croakers), squid, and crustaceans found near the seafloor in shallow waters.
🏆 Fun Facts About Vaquitas
→ The name "vaquita" means "little cow" in Spanish
→ They're called the "panda of the sea" due to their eye markings and endangered status
→ Vaquitas have countershading—dark backs and light bellies for camouflage
→ They're endemic to Mexico—a unique national treasure found nowhere else
→ Unlike most porpoises that prefer cold water, vaquitas thrive in warm water (57-97°F)
→ They typically swim alone or in pairs, not in large groups
→ Vaquitas were only discovered in 1958 and weren't fully studied until 1985
→ They split from their closest relative over 2.5 million years ago during the Pleistocene
→ Females give birth to one calf every 1-2 years, typically in spring
→ Despite low population, genetic studies show healthy individuals with no inbreeding depression
The Race Against Extinction
A catastrophic decline from 567 to just 7-10 individuals
First comprehensive survey estimates 567 individuals. Scientists identify gillnet bycatch from shrimp and totoaba fishing as the primary threat.
Population crashes to 245 vaquitas. The decline accelerates to 8% annually as illegal totoaba fishing intensifies for Chinese markets.
Only 59 vaquitas left. Mexico implements permanent gillnet ban in vaquita habitat, but weak enforcement allows illegal fishing to continue.
Catastrophic low: just 6–22 individuals remain. A 98% population loss since 1997. Computer models predict extinction by 2021.
Against all odds, population stabilizes at 7–10 individuals. New calves observed each year. For the first time, they're not declining.
Why Are They Dying?
Understanding the threats pushing vaquitas to extinction
💀 Gillnets: Walls of Death
Nearly invisible underwater nets trap vaquitas who drown within minutes when they can't surface to breathe. These indiscriminate killers are the #1 cause of death.
💰 The Totoaba Black Market
Totoaba swim bladders sell for $20,000-$80,000 per kilogram in China for traditional medicine. This "cocaine of the sea" drives illegal fishing in vaquita waters.
🚫 Enforcement Failures
Despite gillnet bans, corruption and insufficient patrols allow illegal fishing. Drug cartels have moved into totoaba poaching, making enforcement dangerous.
⏰ Critical Population Size
With only 7-10 individuals, every single death is catastrophic. Even one vaquita in a gillnet could push the species to extinction.
🌊 Tiny Habitat
The smallest range of any marine mammal—vaquitas can't escape to other areas. All threats are concentrated in their limited home.
🎣 Economic Pressure
Local fishing communities depend on the sea. Without sustainable alternatives and compensation, some continue using gillnets despite bans.
⚠️ Critical Facts
→ Vaquitas need ZERO bycatch to survive—there's no margin for error
→ Between 2011-2015, the population declined 80% due to totoaba gillnet fishing
→ Criminal networks run the totoaba trade, making enforcement extremely challenging
→ Gillnets are banned but still used illegally throughout vaquita habitat
→ If vaquitas go extinct, it will be the first marine mammal extinction caused entirely by humans in modern times
There Is Still Hope
Signs of survival and reasons for cautious optimism
🐬 Amazing News: Population Stable!
For three consecutive years (2023-2025), the vaquita population has remained stable. This is extraordinary—scientists had predicted extinction by 2021.
👶 New Calves Observed
At least 2 calves spotted in 2025, proving vaquitas are still reproducing successfully. Mothers are caring for their young despite all odds.
💪 Meet Frida
A mother vaquita (identifiable by her bent dorsal fin) named after Frida Kahlo has been seen with calves in 2023, 2024, and 2025. She's a symbol of resilience.
🛡️ Zero Gillnets in Sept 2025
For the first time, researchers saw NO illegal fishing during the peak survey period in the protected zone—a major milestone!
🔊 Acoustic Protection
Mexico deployed 193 concrete blocks with acoustic sensors to detect and remove gillnets throughout the Gulf. Technology is helping protect them.
⚓ Sea Shepherd Patrols
24/7 conservation patrols by Sea Shepherd and Mexican Navy are physically removing illegal nets and deterring poachers.
🧬 Genetic Resilience
Despite low population, genetic studies show healthy individuals with no inbreeding depression. They've survived bottlenecks before and can recover.
🌟 Why This Matters
Vaquitas are an indicator species—their survival reflects the health of the entire Gulf of California ecosystem. Saving them means protecting countless other species.
We have the knowledge, technology, and resources to save them. What we need now is action.
Take Action Now
Every action matters when only 7–10 individuals remain. Your voice, donation, and awareness can make the difference between extinction and survival.
Support WWF Join Sea Shepherd Share This StoryWhat's Needed Right Now
✦ Complete enforcement of gillnet ban throughout the Upper Gulf
✦ International pressure on China to eliminate totoaba demand
✦ Sustainable fishing alternatives for local communities
✦ 24/7 patrols by conservation organizations and Mexican Navy
✦ Acoustic monitoring to detect and remove illegal nets immediately
✦ Public awareness to maintain political and financial support
✦ Prosecution of poachers and criminal networks
✦ Economic support for fishing communities transitioning away from gillnets
