Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Although all species of whales are protected under international law, a handful are still in danger of extinction. North Atlantic right whales (Balaena australis) are large baleen whales found in deep coastal waters off the eastern seaboard of the United States. Among the rarest and most endangered species, North Atlantic right whales have been hunted to near-extinction. Fewer than 300 exist.
Once thought to be extinct, Western Pacific grey whales (Eschrichtius robustus) were rediscovered in the 1970s. Fewer than 120 animals have been counted, making them the most endangered species of great whale. Narwhals (Monodon monoceros), known for their characteristic spiral tusk, are an Arctic species with steadily declining numbers. Despite being endangered, narwhals are still regularly hunted by the Inuit people and other indigenous groups in the Arctic.
Closely related to whales, dolphins are highly intelligent marine mammals found in all the world's oceans. Humans are largely responsible for the decline in certain dolphin species because of pollution and accidental or intentional killing. There are 14 species of endangered dolphin. Endemic to the Gulf of California, the vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is a small porpoise found in shallow water less than 90 feet deep. Naturally rare, vaquitas suffer from accidental killing by getting caught in fishing nets and by living in a habitat that is becoming increasingly polluted.
Found near river deltas in Southeast Asia, Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) live in close proximity to humans, which often results in their death. The Irrawaddy is an endangered species throughout its entire range, with the largest population occurring in Bangladesh. The world's smallest dolphin species, Maui's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) are found only off the coast of New Zealand. Due to extensive fishing in their range, Maui's dolphins are a critically endangered species, with fewer than 105 specimens left in the wild.
Seals and sea lions are classified as pinnipeds, or flipper-footed marine mammals. Descended from terrestrial animals, pinnipeds nest and breed on land and hunt in the water. Extensively hunted for their fur, many pinnipeds are now in danger of extinction. Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) are the most endangered pinniped species. Found only on several small islets in the Hawaiian island chain, there are only 1,100 Hawaiian monk seals left.
Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) are the largest species of eared seal, or sea lion. Found around the northern Pacific rim, they are sometimes called northern sea lions. Although once commercially hunted, Steller sea lions never suffered a significant loss of population from hunting. They are now endangered as a result of overfishing, which has depleted their food sources.
Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are the only entirely aquatic species of otter, found in coastal waters around the northern Pacific ocean. They are the largest species in the Mustelid, or weasel, family and are the smallest marine mammals. All three subspecies of sea otter are threatened, but the most critically endangered is the southern sea otter (E. lutris nereis). Also called the Californian sea otter, this mammal lives off the coast of central California between Santa Barbara and Monterey Bay. Once thriving with a population of more than 16,000, southern sea otters now number fewer than 3,000.
Manatees and dugongs belong to a small order of large, aquatic herbivores found in shallow coastal waters around the world. Sometimes called sirens, all living members of the order Sirenia are now critically endangered. Manatees (Trichechus) are fully aquatic herbivores sometimes called sea cows. Three subspecies of manatee exist, each defined by its geographic range. Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are the only other living member of the order Sirenia. Found in the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, dugongs are still hunted for their meat and blubber despite being protected endangered mammals.