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Vaquita in the northern Gulf of California, Baja, Mexico
Dear Friends,
In my training as a cetacean Naturalist, I began learning about the endangered Vaquita, the smallest of the porpoises and the smallest of all the cetaceans (Cetaceans are the whales, dolphins and porpoises). The vaquita porpoise is considered by many to be the rarest and most-endangered species of marine mammal in the world. It is estimated that there are only 70 or so vaquitas remaining. They all live in the Gulf of California, which is in Baja, Mexico.
The more I learn about the vaquita porpoise, the more I want to write a song that honors them and brings awareness to their critical situation. In fact, later today I will be speaking with two experts on the vaquita in order to learn more about this beautiful porpoise. I find that talking to an expert who is passionate about a given animal helps me to create a song that is accurate, believable and heart-felt.
-The vaquita has only been known to us since 1958.
-Vaquita means “little cow” in Spanish.
-At about 5 feet (1.5 m) long, it’s the smallest species of cetacean.
-The vaquita lives only about a 4 hour drive from San Diego.
-Unlike other porpoises, vaquitas give birth only every other year.
-Newborns are born in the spring (March/April).
-They live to be about 20-21 years old.
-Vaquitas have never been held in aquariums.
-It is the rarest and most-endangered species of marine mammal in the world.
-Its fate is tied to that of the upper Gulf of California ecosystem.
-The vaquita population has drastically declined due to gill net fishing, where the vaquita porpoises get caught in gill nets that fisherman use to catch fish.
-The Mexican government, with international support, has banned the use of gill nets in the Gulf of California.
-Unfortunately, some fisherman are still using these illegal gill nets to catch the endangered fish, totoaba.
-The vaquita could go extinct in two years if gill net fishing does not stop immediately.
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About Birdsong
Birdsong is an environmental songstress who is passionate about about Nature, music and inspiring kids to be students and stewards of the Earth. Read more...