Vaquita

08.07.2024

Vaquita

 Why in the news?   

The world's most endangered marine mammal, the vaquita, is teetering on the edge of extinction.

About Vaquita:

• It is a shy member and the smallest of the porpoise family.
• Scientific Name: Phocoena sinus
• Vaquitas are the most endangered of the world’s marine mammals. Less than 20 vaquitas remain in the wild.
• The decrease in the vaquita population is also related to the totoaba, a large fish that also only lives in the Gulf of California.

○Because totoaba and vaquita are similar in size, gillnets illegally set for totoaba are the deadliest for vaquitas.

• Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Distribution:

• Vaquitas have the smallest range of any whale, dolphin, or porpoise.
• They only live in the northern part of the Gulf of California, an area that is rich in fish and shrimp.
• They are most commonly sighted in shallow waters up to 50 meters deep.

Features:

• Vaquitas are the smallest cetaceans, the group that includes dolphins, porpoises, and whales—at 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 meters) long and 65 to 120 pounds (29.5 to 54.4 kg).
• Although they do visually resemble dolphins, their closest relatives, vaquitas, have chunkier bodies and rounded heads with no snouts.
• Vaquitas have no beak and are mostly dark gray with lighter gray undersides and black patches on their face.
• Their dorsal fins are unique in that they are taller and wider than most other porpoises.
• A dark ring around the eyes is another striking feature.
• Known for their elusive nature, vaquitas tend to shy away from boats and human activity.
• Vaquitas communicate using echolocation (or sonar) by emitting high-frequency clicks.

                                                                                 Source: NDTV

Ques :- Consider the following statements regarding Vaquitas:

Statement-I

They are the most endangered of the world’s marine mammals.

Statement-II

 They only live in the Gulf of Bothnia.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer C