Vaquita porpoise: Dolphins deployed to save rare species

[Judi Lynn]

8 hours ago





Mexico's government says it plans to use dolphins trained by the US Navy to try to save the world's most endangered marine species, the vaquita porpoise.

Environment Minister Rafael Pacchiano said that the dolphins would be deployed to locate and herd vaquitas into a marine refuge.

Mexico also permanently banned fishing nets blamed for the vaquitas' decline.

Scientists estimate that fewer than 40 of the mammals are still alive in their habitat, in the Gulf of California.

More:
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40466607

[sandensea]

1. Aww. Don't they remind you of manatees?

Love your vaquita stories, Judi. Animals really are beautiful people.

[pansypoo53219]

2. no. they are CUTER! SO ADORABLE! like baby dolphins. no noses.

[sandensea]

3. Ah - I think you're right. No can argue with those sweet faces.

It's good to see Mexico making an effort to save them from extinction. It's painful to know that we may live to see the day that vaquita ('little cow') porpoises are something you only see in coffee table books.

[pansypoo53219]

4. zoo breeding. swimming panda breeding.make MORE!

[sandensea]

5. I take it you're opposed to zoos and aquatic parks. I don't blame you; they are controversial.

Some cities are actually closing their zoos, and shifting to nature parks or as close to it as they can come.

Ideally, of course, they'd all be in the wild - safe and free. But we live in this world alas.

[pansypoo53219]

6. zoos do need to think BIGGER. but they are breeding facilities. apparently milw zoo is big on snow

leopards. last time i thought the lion REALLY needed more enrichment.