2:02pm
7th June 2011
38 notes
tags:
Vaquita
Dolphins and Porpoises
About the Specie
Endangered Species
Charities
(As this specie is so critically endangered, I could not find a photo of it in its natural habitat, or at least a photo where it isnt strung out of water or being held up by an ignorant smiling prick, so this will have to do.)
Vaquitas live in the upper area of the Gulf of California, near the mouth of the Colorado River. No other marine mammal has such a small range, and consequently Vaquitas are extremely rare and may become extinct. Vaquitas used to be able to swim up into the mouth of the Colorado. However, in recent years so much water has been removed from the river for irrigation and for supplying cities that the Colorado is little more than a trickle where it reaches the ocean. This has probably changed the composition of the Gulf waters, too. The Vaquita population was also affected by the fishing industry in the Gulf. Fishermen drowned many Vaquitas in their nets by accident, and their activies have also reduced the amount of fish available for porpoises to eat.
Biologists know little about the lives of these porpoises. Vaquitas probably spend most of their time alone, locating their prey close to the sea floor using echolocation. Births probably take place all year round.
Habitat: Coastal waters and mouth of the Colorado River
Food: Fish and squid
Life Span: Unknown
Status: Critically Endangered
Breeding: Probably 1 calf
If you are interested in finding out how you can help to save this beautiful specie, then check out this link: http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/cetaceans/about/vaquita/

