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RE: A new count of the vaquita (Phocoena sinus) reveals that there are most likely only 12 individuals left!

in #nature7 years ago

@valth, did they give any specific reasons for the breeding program and how it failed?? how many males are left out of the 12?

I presume it was the stress of catching them that killed them given they are pretty small in comparison to humans.

Its a shame to see another species on the brink of extinction, when will humans learn the fragile balance of mans greed and other lives.

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Yes, the breeding program was immediately shut down when one of the females who was captured died. They just figured that is was not worth the risk anymore.

I have no idea of the sex ratio, unfortunately. I don't think they can even tell that from using echolocation to count them.

@valth so by that presumption if there were no males within the pod, it could already be too late.

Yep, absolutely. I believe that by being only 12 left, they are already functionally extinct.