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Vaquita among the world's critically endangered species

Vaquita6_Olson_NOAA.jpg
Posted at 10:15 AM, Feb 08, 2020
and last updated 2022-03-22 18:23:57-04

(KGTV) — The world's rarest marine mammal is on the brink of extinction.

Wildlife experts estimate that only about 10 Vaquita exist in the world. The porpoise lives in the northern Gulf of California, but is often caught and drowned in illegal fishing operations, according to the World Wildlife Federation.

The WWF says the case of the Vaquita's rapid decline represents the threats whales across the world face today.

FACING EXTINCTION: The world's smallest whale on the brink of extinction in the Sea of Cortez

And like vaquita and other whales, several animals, including gorillas, rhinos, and elephants, join them in the threats they face from humans and climate change.

Here's which animals are also on the WWF's critically endangered list:

  • Amur Leopard
  • Black Rhino
  • Bornean Orangutan
  • Cross River Gorilla
  • Eastern Lowland Gorilla
  • Hawksbull Turtle
  • Javan Rhino
  • Orangutan
  • Soala
  • Sumatran Elephant
  • Sumatran Orangutan
  • Sumatran Rhino
  • Sunda Tiger
  • Vaquita
  • Western Lowland Groilla
  • Yangtze Finless Porpoise