The vaquita is the world’s rarest marine mammal, a small porpoise distinguished by dark rings around its eyes, a mouth marking that resembles lipstick, and a shy, elusive manner. It is found only in the northern Gulf of California, off Mexico’s coast.
Last year, a team of international scientists and state environmental officials carried out a survey of the species. That survey estimated the population at just seven to a small number of individuals, putting the vaquita on the edge of extinction.
Despite those findings, Mexico has moved to slash protections for the porpoise. The decision weakens existing conservation measures for a species that is already critically diminished, raising the stakes for its survival in the wild.