Vaquita capture plan suspended, but efforts to save species continue

[Judi Lynn]

Vaquita capture plan suspended, but efforts to save species continue

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http://www.trbimg.com/img-5a03c387/turbine/sd-1510196097-8v2r39ltdk-snap-image/750/750x422

A vaquita calf after its capture on October 18 in the Upper Gulf of California off the coast of San Felipe.
It was released after it showed signs of stress. (SEMARNAT)

Sandra Dibble
NOVEMBER 8, 2017 7:20 PM

A daring and high-risk plan to prevent the extinction of Mexico’s vaquita porpoise by capturing the animals and holding them under human care has been suspended following the death of an adult female last weekend.

“We knew from the beginning that this was one of the risks,” said Lorenzo Rojas Bracho, the Mexican government scientist overseeing an international team working for the past few weeks in Mexico’s Gulf of California off the coast of San Felipe. “But we were sure that if we did not do anything, they would disappear.”

Spearheaded by Mexico’s federal environmental secretariat, SEMARNAT, the month-long operation known as VaquitaCPR marked the first effort to capture these animals--with the aim of repopulating the species. It involved an international team of more than five dozen experts that included some of the world’s top marine mammal scientists, veterinarians and technicians.

VaquitaCPR’s proponents said though the outcome was uncertain, removing vaquitas from the wild was a necessary measure to protect the porpoises from becoming ensnared and drowning in illegal gillnets the totoaba fish. Fewer than 30 individuals are believed to currently survive.

More:
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/border-baja-california/sd-me-vaquita-next-20171108-story.html

[pansypoo53219]

1. if only we could give each one a bottle nose body guard.