The Vaquita porpoise is nearly extinct, now only living in the upper portion of the northern Gulf of California, Mexico, mostly within the Colorado River delta.
Bycatch is the number one threat to marine mammals. Worldwide, estimates of over 650,000 marine mammals perish each year as a result Continue reading The Dwindling Vaquita Porpoise Population; On The Brink of Extinction
Loggerhead turtles make up the majority of the nesting turtles along the northern Pinellas county beaches. Hatchlings incubate for about two months in the nest. Since the main nesting months are from May to October, the hatchling emergence often occurs during the peak of the hurricane season, between August and October. This puts the hatchlings at risk of being washed back onto the beaches of the coast, exhausted from battling ocean waves in their attempt to get out to the weed-line many miles offshore. Once the turtles get washed onto shore they become especially at risk of mortality. Fortunately, there are many caring people who watch over the turtles, doing what they can to preserve the reptile.
