Against all odds, Mexico's endangered vaquita porpoise holds on

Against all odds, the remaining handful of Mexico’s endangered vaquita porpoises are holding on in their only habitat in the Gulf of California. That's according to a new research expedition report released Wednesday. Experts on the expedition estimate they saw from 10 to 13 of the tiny, shy, elusive porpoises during nearly two weeks of sailing in the gulf last month. That is a similar number to those seen in the last such expedition in 2021. The sightings this year included at least one and probably two calves, as immature vaquitas are known, raising hopes for the survival of the world's most endangered marine mammal.