We're just months away from seeing one of the most beautiful species of porpoises go extinct.
Less than 100 vaquita porpoises are left off the coast of Mexico -- and they're being trapped and drowned by massive, floating fishing nets.
Experts say that "unless drastic action is taken immediately, the vaquita will be lost" -- maybe even by the end of this year. That's why scientists are recommending an emergency ban on gillnet fishing in vaquita habitat -- and they say it must be put in place by this Monday, September 1, or we could lose these porpoises forever.
There's no time to lose: Tell the governments of Mexico, the U.S., and China to work together to crack down on illegal fishing and save the last of the vaquita!
Without our voices, these porpoises will be gone. 50,000 comments from SierraRise supporters like you will show the necessary officials a huge outcry of support for the vaquita. Sign the petition today!
The vaquita is the smallest of the porpoise family, and naturally shy. They've even been called "the Mexican panda" because of their elusive habits and low numbers.
Population restoration efforts in Mexico were seeing some success, until a resurgence of illegal totoaba fishing for use in Chinese medicine began in 2012. The gillnets used to illegally catch totoabas also trap the struggling porpoises -- an immediate crackdown on this illegal fishing is all that can save these extraordinary creatures. The Mexican administration wants to get this done, but it will take cooperation with the U.S. and Chinese administrations as well.
Unless we step in, the vaquita porpoise will follow in the footsteps of the now-extinct baiji porpoise that once flourished in China's Yangtse River. We can't let another natural wonder perish.
Sign the petition today, before Monday's urgent deadline -- losing this vulnerable species is not an option! Together, we can save the vaquita!
Extinction is forever. Once we lose the vaquita porpoise, we'll never get a chance to bring it back. For the sake of our children and future generations, let's make sure we don't let this unique and precious creature disappear.