goldenliontamarin

In a 1,400 square mile area in the Gulf of California, and only here, lives the Vaquita. This timid little porpoise is dark gray on top fading to a white belly, with dark patches over its mouth and eyes. At less than 5 feet long, it is the smallest cetacean, and, with only around 100 individuals left in the world, the rarest marine mammal. This porpoise is literally on the brink of extinction. Never has a single one survived in captivity, so it is imperative that we preserve its natural habitat. The reason it is so endangered is because of its entanglement in gillnets that are set out for fish and shrimp. Since fishing is one of the biggest industries in northern Mexico, we cannot simply ask fishermen to remove all of their nets. We need donations so we can give each of the fisherman about $5,000 a year in exchange for him or her not fishing there or to give them Vaquita-safe gear. There are many scientists, biologists, activists, politicians, and even kids like me who are trying to help raise money for this, research, and education. I ask you to support Mexico’s conservation efforts of this animal. Please visit vlogvaquita.com/ to get all the information you will need. I hope you will be captured and moved to action by the beauty and plight of this animal.