Vaquita: Critically Endangered
The Vaquita (Spanish for ‘little cow’), also known as Vaquita Marina, is one of the rarest species of marine mammals in the world.
We’re announcing, with deep concern, a t-shirt that celebrates the critically endangered porpoise Vaquita. This t‐shirt is a part of our ‘Endangered Species Project’. Other species featured in the project include Western Black Rhinoceros (Extinct), Black Softshell Turtle (Extinct in the Wild), Wallace’s Golden Birdwing (Endangered), Snowy Owl (Vulnerable), Black-necked Stork (Near Threatened), Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko (Least Concern) and more.
The T‐shirt
- The front of this t‐shirt features original artwork depicting the Vaquita.
- The back of the t‐shirt depicts the word ‘CRITICALLY ENDANGERED’ in bold, along with the common name, the scientific name and the conservation status on a scale.
The Species
The Vaquita (Spanish for ‘little cow’), also known as Vaquita Marina, is one of the rarest species of marine mammals in the world. It is a native of the Gulf of California. Vaquita (scientific name: Phocoena sinus) is a porpoise: a group of aquatic mammals referred to as mereswine. Identified only as recently as 1958, this species has been pushed towards extinction due to illegal fishing operations in marine protected areas. It often gets unintentionally caught (bycatch) in fishing gillnets. Now there are reportedly fewer than 30 individuals surviving. Vaquita inhabits shallow lagoons, is between 1.2–1.5m long, and uses bio sonar for communication and navigation.
Role in Ecology
Porpoises and dolphins are at the higher echelons of the food chain, and contribute towards maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Their population in the ocean has a downstream effect on the marine ecosystem and is also an indicator of ocean health.
Importance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity (or Biological Diversity) is a term that describes the variety of living beings on earth, and includes diversity across species, within species, and across ecosystems. It is vital to maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. The estimates for the number of species on Earth vary, and a 2011 study put the count at 8.7 million.
To buy this t-shirt, or see our entire series, visit our store on Amazon.com.
