The vaquita’s name is reflective of their home range in Mexico’s Gulf of California. In Spanish, vaquita means “little cow”. The world’s smallest porpoise is also the rarest marine mammal on Earth. This diminutive animal is a critically endangered species of cetacean, a taxonomic clade used to describe whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The vaquita lives and feeds in shallow coastal waters, exclusively in the Gulf of California. They prefer shallow water, as their favourite food sources are bottom-dwelling fish (also known as “benthic”).

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1. Education - The best way to help marine life is to become familiar with the topic and spread awareness.

1. Donate – Many organizations are collecting funds to help aid conservation.

1. Adopt (symbolically of course) – Don’t worry you won’t have to make room in the swimming pool. This adoption is a metaphorical one. You receive a certificate saying you
2. “adopted” a creature.

1. Clean - 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans each year. Do some beach cleanup with a few friends! This keeps marine life from ingesting anything harmful which can lead to illness.

1. Participate in World Oceans Month! – June is dedicated to our oceans. During this month, it is important to spread awareness of our oceans and conservation efforts.