plural vaquitas
: a small, highly endangered porpoise (Phocoena sinus) of the Gulf of California having a dark ring around the eyes and reaching only four to five feet (1.2 to 1.5 meters) in length
The Mexican government is making a final effort to save the vaquita, a tiny porpoise that has been driven to the edge of extinction as a result of illegal fishing for another endangered species that is served as a delicacy in China.—
Elisabeth Malkin
Elisabeth MalkinExamples of vaquita in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2017, there was a collaborative effort between Mexico and the United States to save vaquitas and place them in a pen under human care.
—Uma Raja, Sun Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile the official number of vaquitas has dropped to just 30.
—Erik Vance, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2017
The expedition took place May 10-26, and crisscrossed a corner of the gulf where the few remaining vaquitas had last been seen.
—Mark Stevenson, ajc, 8 June 2023
For two weeks in May, researchers sailed around part of the gulf, which is the only place vaquitas — the most endangered porpoise in the world — live.
—Catherine Garcia, The Week, 15 June 2023
The last vaquita sighting expedition in 2021 yielded probable sightings of 5 to 13 vaquitas, a decline from the previous survey in 2019.
—Mark Stevenson, ajc, 8 June 2023
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Uma Raja, Sun Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile the official number of vaquitas has dropped to just 30.
—Erik Vance, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2017
The expedition took place May 10-26, and crisscrossed a corner of the gulf where the few remaining vaquitas had last been seen.
—Mark Stevenson, ajc, 8 June 2023
For two weeks in May, researchers sailed around part of the gulf, which is the only place vaquitas — the most endangered porpoise in the world — live.
—Catherine Garcia, The Week, 15 June 2023
The last vaquita sighting expedition in 2021 yielded probable sightings of 5 to 13 vaquitas, a decline from the previous survey in 2019.
—Mark Stevenson, ajc, 8 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Vaquita.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vaquita. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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