BajaNomad

Last-ditch attempt to save world's most endangered porpoise gets go-ahead

DavidT - 4-9-2017 at 09:36 PM

An ambitious effort to save a diminutive porpoise called the vaquita has received the official clearance to move forward.

The vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is found only in Mexico’s Gulf of California, where there are just 30 of them left. On 3 April, the Mexican government announced that it would give US$3 million to the VaquitaCPR (conservation, protection and recovery) plan to save them. A further $1 million was donated on the same day by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The project, which will use dolphins specially trained by the US Navy to corral as many vaquitas as possible so they can be put into protective pens in their natural habitat, also got the green light to start from the Mexican government.

The funds have come too late for work to start in the next suitable window, in May; after that, the gulf gets too choppy. But conservationists hope to start when conditions improve again in October.

The vaquita population has crashed over the past two decades. The first dedicated survey, in 1997, revealed that there were 567 individuals in the gulf — but by 2015, this figure had plummeted to just 59. The latest estimate, from 2016, suggests approximately 30 vaquitas remain.

The alarming decline is largely down to the porpoises drowning in gill nets set to capture huge, bass-like fish called totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi). So in 2015, the Mexican government banned the use of gill nets for two years and offered compensation to fishers.

Black market

But with the totoaba’s swim bladder fetching tens of thousands of dollars on the black market in China, the fishing has continued apace. “The price is just like drugs,” says Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho, a marine conservation biologist at the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change in Ensenada, Mexico, and chair of the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita (CIRVA). “As long as there’s that amount of money, there’s a market.”

Conservationists fear that the vaquita will share the fate of the Yangtze River dolphin, or baiji (Lipotes vexillifer), whose probable extinction was discovered by a 2006 expedition. “We did not anticipate going out on that survey and not seeing a single baiji, and not hearing a single whistle,” says Barbara Taylor, a conservation biologist at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, California, and a member of CIRVA. “My resolve was stiffened not to repeat that with vaquita.”

The first challenge will be to locate some vaquitas in the 2,000-plus square kilometres of the gulf where they are known to live. Previous acoustic data, which tracked the animals' sonar clicks will give an idea of their whereabouts, but vaquitas roam singly or in pairs, and are difficult to spot.

They also tend to swim away from motorized vessels, which is why two US Navy dolphins trained to echolocate porpoises have been enlisted. “The Navy dolphins can easily follow them along like golden retrievers and let us more easily keep track of where the animals are, to let the capture team have their best opportunity to be in the right place at the right time,” says Taylor.

And once spotted, a vaquita must be safely captured and transported to the proposed holding site, north of San Felipe on the west coast of the gulf.

High risk

Several designs of holding pen are being tested. The first pens will be up to 10 metres in diameter and up to 3 metres deep, and will keep the vaquitas away from gill nets, says Rojas-Bracho. If the plans succeed, a more permanent facility will be built.

The scientists hope that the vaquitas will adjust to captivity and even breed in the pens.

Bold rescue operations have worked before: the last 27 California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) were taken into captivity in the 1980s, and their numbers grew enough for some condors born in captivity to have been released back into the wild.

The vaquita team hopes to learn from these experiences, but much is uncertain. “No one has ever tried to catch vaquita to keep them alive,” says Randall Wells at the Chicago Zoological Society in Illinois, and a member of the VaquitaCPR consortium. “There is so much of this that is being done for the first time. It’s all high risk.”

Others outside the project are hopeful. David Wildt, a senior scientist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Washington DC, thinks the rescue could work. He notes that it is a “huge challenge”, adding that there is “nothing to be lost, and lots to be gained”.

Nature

DENNIS - 4-10-2017 at 07:16 AM



"Nothing to be lost?" These people don't work for nothing.
They just waited too long to be effective. The low numbers of the remaining Vaquita population is not sufficient to rebuild a species....and these 'experts" know this.

Mexitron - 4-10-2017 at 07:43 AM

Someone needs to educate the Chinese that Totoaba isn't the panacea they think it is. Even if they get the vaquita's numbers up they will still be in danger from Totoaba poaching (and for that manner start shipping the Chinese viagra so they quit buying rhinoceros horns).
It took a lot of work to get the CACondors back into the wild--including banning lead shot for hunting--but it has been a success. Personally I like seeing the Condors flying around...s it worth all the effort and money to save a species, well sometimes it is and sometimes it probably isn't. But it sounds like a lot of folks would like to see the Vaquita survive so why not?

DENNIS - 4-10-2017 at 08:57 AM



Why not? According to science, along with the reported census of remaining Vaquita 100 [+-] .......as well as the natural death rate of the species, there isn't enough left to work with.
Condors could be controlled in captivity to regenerate the species. That won't be possible for the Vaquita.

[Edited on 4-10-2017 by DENNIS]

David K - 4-10-2017 at 09:31 AM

Sea World needs new animal attractions since the enviros forced the end to the traditional Shamu show... Vaquitas last hope to live, perhaps?

Mexitron - 4-10-2017 at 09:46 AM

Food for thought there David, would turn their image around too.

Mexitron - 4-10-2017 at 09:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS  


Why not? According to science, along with the reported census of remaining Vaquita 100 [+-] .......as well as the natural death rate of the species, there isn't enough left to work with.
Condors could be controlled in captivity to regenerate the species. That won't be possible for the Vaquita.

[Edited on 4-10-2017 by DENNIS]


The article does mention that they will be put in pens to sequester them and its their hope they can breed in them as well. But David's idea might work better, at least funding wise, though they'll have to find some really small people to ride the dolphins in the show, lol.

David K - 4-10-2017 at 10:07 AM

LOL, I think even if the vaquita could be ridden, the days of man and animals working like that together are probably over, in this country.

rdrrm8e - 4-10-2017 at 10:19 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron  

It took a lot of work to get the CACondors back into the wild--including banning lead shot for hunting--but it has been a success. Personally I like seeing the Condors flying around...s it worth all the effort and money to save a species, well sometimes it is and sometimes it probably isn't. But it sounds like a lot of folks would like to see the Vaquita survive so why not?


I'm only going to say this once...!

Hunt for Truth has also found that federal and state officials have long been aware of historical adverse impacts on condors by DDT and DDE pesticide residues. Hunt for Truth has uncovered that federal and state officials permitted the re-release of endangered California condors into the environment for “recovery” purposes, with the full knowledge that the historical DDT and DDE threat had not been mitigated.

Ventana Wildlife Society, a Condor Recovery Program partner, considers exposure to elevated levels of DDE to be the key threat to meeting condor recovery goals in California along the Big Sur Coast. The fact that Condor Recovery Program personnel at both the federal and the state levels had access to this information, combined with the fact that they are currently encountering egg-shell thinning related to DDE exposure, may mean that the knowing release of California condors into these hazardous geographies violates the ESA.

Since the designation of the California condor as endangered and the intervention by the Condor Recovery Program, there has been a significant controversy over the alleged poisoning and mortality of the condors, claimed to be linked to the ingestion of lead. While some researchers maintain that lead ammunition from gutpiles or game carrion left in the field by hunters is the primary source of lead exposure to condors, there is compelling evidence of alternative sources of lead in the environment. Such alternative sources of lead include paint chips from old buildings, legacy leaded gasoline in soils, mining wastes, old insecticides and microtrash.

One such noted exposure to an alternative source of lead in the environment was discovered at Pinnacles National Monument, where condors # 317 and 318 were observed ingesting lead paint fragments from the North Chalone Fire Lookout Tower. In turn, these parents fed the regurgitated lead paint fragments to their fledgling (# 550). Condors # 317, 318 and 550 were all tested and found to have high blood-lead levels, while # 550 had to be evacuated to the Los Angeles Zoo for intense treatment for lead poisoning.

The first condor to be identified as a lead-related mortality was Condor # 19 in March of 1984. According to the condor’s medical file, no forensic analysis was performed on a 7-8mm metallic fragment reportedly recovered from the “gizzard,” though necropsy personnel reported being able to cut the fragment with a metal scalpel.

Rarely, if ever, has an actual projectile fragment been found in the digestive tract of a California condor. However, objects that were thought to be projectile fragments were subsequently found to be pieces of gravel or a “woody” substance, not from ammunition. Hunt for Truth has discovered that many of these researchers “cherry picked” this information, deleting it and often refusing to present the underlying information to scientific peer review, policy makers and the public at large. This activity by the researchers calls their very claims and conclusions into serious question.

The purported link between the use of lead ammunition and the poisoning and/or mortality in condors is further weakened by the failure of California’s lead ban to successfully combat lead poisoning in wildlife. Assembly Bill (AB) 821 was passed out by the California Legislature on September 5, 2007 and enrolled September 10, 2007. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 821 on October 13, 2007, just after the Concord Fish and Game Commission hearing which banned the use of lead centerfire ammunition while hunting big game in the condor range. The bill was predicated and passed on its proponents’ assurances that hunters’ lead ammunition was the cause of lead related poisoning and deaths in California condors.

Since the passage of AB 821, the California Department of Fish and Game wardens have surveyed the types of ammunition used by hunters in the Condor Zones during hunting season, where the use of lead ammunition is banned. Despite 98.89% hunter compliance with AB 821, the 2009, 2010, and 2011 condor blood-lead data, collected by the Condor Recovery Program in California, shows that the incidence of lead exposure and poisoning in condors remains static and actually increased slightly.

Hunt for Truth believes that the combination of: 1) the 2009, 2010, and 2011 blood lead data; 2) the passage of AB 821, and; 3) the Department of Fish and Game’s evidence of 98.89% hunter compliance with the lead ban, strongly indicate that hunters’ ammunition is not the cause of lead exposure and toxicity in condors and alternative sources of lead are to blame.

Those attempting to impede hunters’ rights through the prohibition of traditional ammunition consisting of lead components have used the California condor as a propaganda tool to advance their campaign. Hunt for Truth continues to investigate the truth about the purported nexus between traditional ammunition and lead poisoning and/or mortality in California condors.

[Edited on 4-10-2017 by rdrrm8e]

DENNIS - 4-10-2017 at 02:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron  
[
The article does mention that they will be put in pens to sequester them and its their hope they can breed in them as well.



Absurd, even to an unrealistic dreamer. These heroes planning to make this a popular quest are writing their own publicity releases, and soliciting funds from a soft target.
Hold the illegal Totuava netters accountable for wiping out two species, and thank the Chinese for paying them to do it.
When you're done with that, say goodbye to the Vaquita. They're history.





[Edited on 4-10-2017 by DENNIS]

BigBearRider - 4-10-2017 at 05:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS  
Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron  
[
The article does mention that they will be put in pens to sequester them and its their hope they can breed in them as well.



Absurd, even to an unrealistic dreamer. These heroes planning to make this a popular quest are writing their own publicity releases, and soliciting funds from a soft target.
Hold the illegal Totuava netters accountable for wiping out two species, and thank the Chinese for paying them to do it.
When you're done with that, say goodbye to the Vaquita. They're history.

[Edited on 4-10-2017 by DENNIS]


Dennis, I find your negative outlook on this issue to be a little odd. You've stated it a couple of times. As if it is not worth the effort because it's bound to fail, and that the preservation effort is somehow something done for financial reasons of the involved.

For starters, Goonies never say die. I don't see why it would be impossible to revive the species as long as there are fertile males and females left.

What is the science behind your repeated suggestion that 100 or even 30 specimens is somehow not enough "according to science"?

There are other species that have come back from worse. For example, there were only 27 condors alive in the world in 1987. All were captured and bred in captivity. There are now about 500 alive. I saw six of them in Baja about a month ago., without looking for them.

The vaquita is obviously different, and will pose a different challenge, but I don't see why it's as hopeless as you say, or why some improper motive should be ascribed to those taking action.

willardguy - 4-10-2017 at 06:00 PM

I have to admit, I don't really give a ratsazz about either vaquita or dennis, they're both a dying breed....the difference is THERE WAS NEVER A BUNCH OF VAQUITA, but always a crapload of dennis's, dennis'es, dennis'...whatever:smug:

http://www.iucn-csg.org/index.php/vaquita/

DENNIS - 4-10-2017 at 06:16 PM


To lightly approach the issue;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_viable_population
=============

By the way....how many eggs does a Condor lay at one nesting?

Vaquita birth one at a time. Current estimated census of Vaquita females....50 [+ -]

Life span for Condor....60 years

Vaquita.....20 years

These mammals will require a spiritual intervention to rebuild the species. I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

bezzell - 4-10-2017 at 06:23 PM

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion...

DENNIS - 4-10-2017 at 06:34 PM



Ohhh...poor deluded you, Willygal. Now....you keep checking your calendar, but you should try to understand that you and your boyfriend will never be able to expand the numbers of your sub-species, no matter how long you stay on the bottom...however don't let that physical fact keep you from giving it your whimpering best.

[Edited on 4-11-2017 by DENNIS]

rdrrm8e - 4-10-2017 at 06:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS  


Ohhh...poor deluded you, Willygal. Now....you keep checking your calendar, but you should try to understand that you and your boyfriend will never be able to expand the numbers of your sub-species, no matter how long you stay on the bottom...however don't let that physical fact keep you from giving it your whimpering best.

[Edited on 4-11-2017 by DENNIS]



Whoa....!:fire:

willardguy - 4-10-2017 at 06:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS  


Ohhh...poor deluded you, Willygal. Now....you keep checking your calendar, but you should try to understand that you and your boyfriend will never be able to expand the numbers of your sub-species, no matter how long you stay on the bottom...however don't let that physical fact keep you from giving it your whimpering best.

[Edited on 4-11-2017 by DENNIS]


started happy hour a couple hours early today eh?

BajaMama - 4-12-2017 at 12:52 PM

40 years ago marine biologists thought blue whales were functionally extinct - not enough of them to viably reproduce. Nature and human intervention fortunately proved them wrong. Blue whales have made quite a comeback.

Never give up hope - if there are those who are willing to spend time, effort and $$, it is possible the vaquita can recover. But if we do nothing, it is a certainty they will not.

DENNIS - 4-12-2017 at 02:08 PM


Whatever. Something should have been done long ago. This abomination was no secret to anyone.
Blame the fishermen... and when you're done doing that, blame those who are supposed to control the fishermen.
By the way.....the surviving blue whale in the 60's numbered in the thousands.
Vaquita females today.....maybe 50.....maybe.

I'll never accept the reasoning at a later date the claims, because of these noble efforts today, they tried. The problem is, they didn't when they should have....and, they know it.

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/02/world-s-most-endanger...

chuckie - 4-12-2017 at 02:29 PM

I'm with Dennis on this..Too little too late..And I suspect a great deal of the funds provided are going to "overhead"...Grant skimming..I would like to be proven wrong....

Priorities ?

MrBillM - 4-12-2017 at 02:33 PM

?????????

"..........Never give up hope - if there are those who are willing to spend time, effort and $$, it is possible the vaquita can recover. But if we do nothing, it is a certainty they will not........."

SO, referencing a VERY typical Liberal response used over the years to a host of spending choices with which THEY don't agree ........................ HOW MANY starving third-world children could be saved with the funds that they're hoping to spend on the Vaquita ?

chuckie - 4-12-2017 at 02:39 PM

A cash injection into Veterans health care and our mental health programs makes more sense..IT IS OUR MONEY....

Martyman - 4-12-2017 at 04:17 PM

Why spend money on people? We're idiots.

chuckie - 4-12-2017 at 04:19 PM

Are you related to DK?

DENNIS - 4-13-2017 at 06:46 PM


Now....this should fix everything:

http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/government-extends-fishing-r...

chuckie - 4-14-2017 at 07:11 AM

Interesting read..Wont change much...Other articles wont encourage anyone to move to mexico...

DENNIS - 4-14-2017 at 07:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chuckie  
Interesting read..Wont change much...Other articles wont encourage anyone to move to mexico...


I was being facetious.....:saint:

chuckie - 4-14-2017 at 08:35 AM

YOU, Dennis?:?: I am shocked!:(

DENNIS - 4-14-2017 at 01:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chuckie  
YOU, Dennis?:?: I am shocked!:(


I know. Hard to believe, but I do have my frivolous moments :lol:

fishbuck - 4-15-2017 at 12:36 PM

This may just be a lot of showbiz to focus attention on the sad demise of the vaquita.
But there are still benefits to the northern Cortez area. I mean U.S. Navy dolphins? How cool is that?
And probably a large Mexican Navy presence during the operation.
Probably be on tv news too.;D

azucena - 4-18-2017 at 05:22 PM

The Vaquita is worthy of our protection since HUMAN behavior has , and continues to directly cause it's demise. Somehow, it comes down to money for some people ( ie: how many third world children could be helped with the monies being used) How many third world children could be helped with the millions being spent to protect Prez Trump at his second White House in ( how ironic, a Mexican name ) Mar a Lago? Depends on your priorities , I guess..

I'll take the vaquita, and third world children. They BOTH deserve our support

Giving the World a Helping Hand

MrBillM - 4-19-2017 at 06:30 PM

Without a doubt, I agree that Dolphins and 3rd World kids should be given equal consideration.

fishbuck - 4-20-2017 at 01:22 AM

The little boys whose dads are fisherman may need your help. The only way to save the area is to curtail or severely limit fishing there.
I'm sure they were planning to be just like dad. So I'm guessing they will need to be trained for a different line of work.
It will be sad if they grow up angry and resentful about it all.

mtgoat666 - 4-20-2017 at 06:04 AM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  
The little boys whose dads are fisherman may need your help. The only way to save the area is to curtail or severely limit fishing there.
I'm sure they were planning to be just like dad. So I'm guessing they will need to be trained for a different line of work.
It will be sad if they grow up angry and resentful about it all.


Retrain poachers?
The totoaba poachers should be thrown in jail!
The kids will properly learn to respect the law.

DENNIS - 4-20-2017 at 06:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  
The little boys whose dads are fisherman may need your help. The only way to save the area is to curtail or severely limit fishing there.
I'm sure they were planning to be just like dad. So I'm guessing they will need to be trained for a different line of work.
It will be sad if they grow up angry and resentful about it all.


True, Mike, but the kids have a constitutional guarantee of a school education. Perhaps concentrate on that instead of sad economic traditions.

DENNIS - 4-20-2017 at 06:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  
The only way to save the area is to curtail or severely limit fishing there.


Just get rid of the nets.



[Edited on 4-20-2017 by DENNIS]

Learn to Properly Respect the LAW ?

MrBillM - 4-20-2017 at 07:41 AM

In MEXICO ?

There's a Challenge.

But, perhaps, the legal system is getting the respect it deserves.

azucena - 4-20-2017 at 07:05 PM

As the world's population has grown, it has become an immense challenge to balance the needs of the present generation, the future generations , along with the other species that inhabit this world we all share and make decisions that can somehow accomdate us all.

Perhaps, we can focus on providing the best we can to the most vulnerable, whether it be children, the future of families, and creatures that depend on us to ensure their continued existence, rather than spending money on "things" that provide a fleeting instant gratification that don't really make any of us any happier

fishbuck - 4-20-2017 at 07:21 PM

You first😎.
I protect all of my vulnerables already.
The people who are not are the bladder poachers. And other illegal commercial fisherman etc. They want things, probably for their vulnerables...
If people would take responsibilty for themselves and their vulnerables in a legal and sustainable way... but that is unlikely.
So shining the light of day on this as the Sea Shepards are doing is probably the only thing that will help by shaming the Mex gov and the rest of the world into action.
But if you think going all peace corp. on poor children will help... be my guest.


Doing MY part most EVERY Day !

MrBillM - 4-20-2017 at 08:42 PM

Making sure that the squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, crows, pigeons y otra critters in my area get fed.

Saving them from becoming endangered ?

I'd feed the Vaquitas, too, but I haven't seen any recently.

azucena - 4-21-2017 at 08:35 AM

Just like people, animals vary in their ability to adapt. Squirrels, rabbits crows etal, have a proven ability to adapt and thrive reasonably well to changes in their environment,and reproduce readily. No danger of extinction there. However, generally more highly evolved mammals are less adaptable and more sensitive to human interference. Wholesale slaughter of any species will eventually kill them off. Haven't seen vaquitas recently? Not many to be seen. Your other critters will likely be here when we are not.

BTW fishbuck, I agree that Sea Shepard actions are needed as we have reached a point where very direct action is imperative to save the remaining vaquitas.

woody with a view - 4-21-2017 at 09:12 AM

Why don't they clone them? Maybe 3-D print a couple hundred?

BajaBreak - 4-21-2017 at 10:32 AM

Well 40 year old women are having babies these days, why not in vitro a few hundred more of these lil guys in the wombs of dolphins.

The idea of using U.S. Navy trained dolphins is quite intriguing also, I mean who'd have thunk it, G.I. Flippers.

But realistically, it is likely too little too late. Just a last ditch money grab aimed at unrealistic tear-jerking soft targets and government grants. I hope I turn out to be wrong. At least something is being done, and attention is being brought to the area.

DENNIS - 4-21-2017 at 10:49 AM


Maybe best to do some preemptive protection for the remaining species that promise virility to the prehistoric Chinese mindset.
Better yet...boycott everything made in China to deprive them of fun tickets used for species demolition. I mean...Totuava Bladder? This is why the Vaquita has been wiped out.
Control the living, cuz you can't control the dead.

BajaBreak - 4-21-2017 at 02:36 PM

Good point Dennis.

Maybe someone can clone Totuava bladders or breed them in captivity to flood the Chinese bonerito market so they aren't even worth the gas for the fishermen to poach them.

Where do they come up with this stuff? Did some "wise" man with a fu man chu stache say that some fish bladder helped him have kids in his seventies, and it just caught on years ago. Bear gall bladders. Tiger penises or whatever it was. Weird stuff.

DENNIS - 4-21-2017 at 02:47 PM


Rhino Horns are going to be the demise of that species.....not if, but when.
So sad.