Saving the Vaquita: Race Against Extinction
Vaquita is the smallest and rarest species, native to the Gulf of California
They have distinctive dark eye rings and dark patches on their lips
Vaquitas are critically endangered, with less than 10 individuals left in the wild
Illegal fishing activities, especially gillnets for totoaba fish, pose the greatest threat
Totoaba swim bladders are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine
Conservation efforts include banning gillnets and patrolling protected areas
Captive breeding programs aim to save the species from extinction
Scientists use acoustic monitoring to study vaquita populations and behavior
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