For a long time, I have wanted to write of the tragedy of the vaquita. This cryptic porpoise has been keeping a spot in my mind and my heart for a number of years, since I first learned of its imminent extinction. The story of the vaquita is so depressing, so overwhelming, that I find it hard to write about. Sadly, it’s also a predictable and all-too-common story.

Right up, here’s the punchline: the vaquita is about to become extinct.

There’s no time to really dawdle on speaking about it.