The Vancouver aquarium will no longer keep whales or dolphins in captivity. The decision came as a result of the Vancouver Park Board voted last year to prevent the aquarium from acquiring any new marine mammals for exhibits. The aquarium has stated that the intense public debate is hindering is conservation work.
Scientists have successfully located, captured, and transported a Vaquita porpoise into captivity in a bid to save the extremely endangered species. The mission was conducted by scientists with the VaquitaCPR conservation project as well as Mexico’s Secretary of the Environment Rafael Pacchiano. The rescue was performed during the second week of the bold plan to rescue the Vaquita porpoise from extinction by the Mexican government. The Vaquita is the most endangered marine mammal in the world and it is estimated that only 30 individuals remain in existence.