The vaquita is a rare species of porpoise endemic to the northern part of the Gulf of California, of which there are only 30 mammals left.
To mark the occasion, last weekend, 29 volunteers and all of Zoomarine’s employees took part in a fundraising initiative at the park named Pied4Porpoise.
This involved plates of whipped cream being thrown at each other, in return for donations which have been sent on to the Vaquita Conservation Fund.
Zoomarine was the first organisation in Europe to adhere to the international movement started in the US to save the vaquita. It also coincided with International Save the Vaquita Day, which was on Saturday 8 July.
Speaking to newspaper Correio da Manhã, João Neves, head of Zoomarine’s Educational Department, said: “Last year, there were 60 vaquitas, this year there are just half of that. Soon, if nothing is done, there will be no vaquitas left.”
Desidério Silva, head of the RTA Regional Algarve Tourism Board also said, “We must contribute towards there being more awareness about species”.