Global News - March 2008
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Rare porpoise 'is on the brink of extinction'
Wed 19 March 2008 13:45 UK — North America,Marine Wildlife
A tiny stubby-nosed porpoise found only in Mexico's Sea of Cortez could become extinct if efforts are not stepped up to protect it, experts have warned.
Reuters has reported that conservationists in Mexico are concerned that only 150 of the animals, called vaquita, survive in the wild.
They added that more of the animals are killed every year in fishing nets than are born.
One local conservationist explained to the news agency that the porpoises might only survive for "one or two years" unless efforts are made to save the vaquita.
Another problem facing the porpoises is that their gene pool is now so small that effective breeding is difficult.
The Mexican government is currently trying to encourage local fishermen to consider switching to work related to tourism in a bid to protect the vaquita.
Environment minister Juan Elvira Quesada told Reuters that the government was also set to spend $10 million this year on protecting the vaquita.
Vaquita were only identified 50 years ago when some skulls were found. They are some of the smallest porpoises in the world and are extremely shy.
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