The world's smallest choice is very close to extinction. Scientists estimate that as few as ten individuals of the California tumor remain in the waters off northwest Mexico, which is the species's only residence.
Environmental activists are now warning that "drastic measures" are needed for the species not to disappear altogether, and appeals to the countries that have signed the International Crop Convention Cites to impose the hardest possible sanctions on Mexico to force the country to exert more effort.
sanctions
Cites regulate trade for tens of thousands of endangered plants and animals, and countries are mandated to punish those who break the rules or do not do enough to stop illegal trade in the species on the list.
"The parties should impose sanctions on Mexico and prohibit trade in Cites-listed species from Mexico until they get the situation under control," said Zak Smith, chairman of the conservation organization NRDC.
Mexico, for its part, claims that the country already does everything in its power:
"I don't think a simple solution such as sanctions against Mexico will do much for the California tumbler," says Hesiquio Benítez Díaz, the country's director general for international cooperation.