The World's Most
Endangered Marine Mammal
The vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus) is a small, elusive cetacean found only in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico. Despite their critical status, research shows vaquitas have healthy genetics and can recover—if we act now to remove all gillnets from their habitat.
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VIVA VAQUITA
The Coalition
Vaquita
Science, Politics, and Crime in the Sea of Cortez
Author Brooke Bessesen takes us on a journey to Mexico’s Upper Gulf region to uncover the story. She interviewed townspeople, fishermen, scientists, and activists, teasing apart a complex story filled with villains and heroes, a story whose outcome is unclear. When diplomatic and political efforts to save the little porpoise failed, Bessesen followed a team of veterinary experts in a binational effort to capture the last remaining vaquitas and breed them in captivity—the best hope for their survival.


