Every Animal That Was Declared Extinct In 2018 (And Those Likely To Go In 2019)

The vaquita is a species of porpoise native to the waters of the northern Gulf of California. They were first described in 1958, but are on the brink of extinction due to the presence of only 12 to 15 individuals.

Such low numbers of their population suggest they have reached a point of no return and can no longer breed in sufficient numbers to come back from the brink.

The population of vaquita dropped at alarming rates over the years and was first listed as critically endangered in 1996 when the population was estimated at around 600 individuals. A subsequent census in 2014 found only 100 individuals remaining with only 60 left the following year.

The cause of the vaquita decline has been attributed to bycatch resulting from the illegal use of gillnet fishing for the totoaba, a species of drum that is also listed as critically endangered. Vaquita caught in the bycatch of totoaba die as a result and their carcasses are thrown back into the ocean. Many attempts have been made by Mexico to curb the bycatch problem, but few have been successful. Captured vaquita often die within hours of being taken into captivity, which reduces the possibility of a working breeding program.