Vaquita – Last Chance for the Desert Porpoise

Superbly made – your best ever perhaps, Chris – but how depressing.

Chris, you are an artist. Your latest work on vaquita does not only convey information—it touches hearts. Parts 6 and 7 really get to the core of the problem and show—once again—that science is not enough. Science is never enough.

Beautiful…inspiring…touching…The last part was enlightening…I’m glad you only mentioned drugs a little bit…So I didn’t skew the gillnet problem and fishing with the int’l drug trade…

Giuseppe, thanks so much for the kind comments about the film. It is depressing, but do feel there is a glimmer of hope in the very small window that we still have. Giovanni, very touching comments too. Parts 6 & 7 are my favorite because we are exposed to the complexity of the community implementation of the buyout. Yes, science it not enough in the case of the Vaquita, but it provides the foundation of “why” conservation programs need to occur.

Superb film from art to content, it is really toching, and as everyone said it inspires to do something. As you point it is an important aspect, that the solution has to comprise the whole parties including, the vaquita, the people living there, and the sustainable administration of the resources with education and action of the present and future generations. Hopefully in present it be done on time.

Thanks to you at least we have seen them alive and swimming, not only in drawings or still photos. Please let us know if you make any updates.

Sincerely
Jorge E. Becerril

Excellent video and website – a compelling story that touches on key issues facing conservation: for instance, how to support local communities and preserve threatened species in an inclusive way. In the documentary we also see that even the best ideas can come unstuck due to a variety of reasons, and that there is often ‘no clear answer’ to the challenges involved.

It’s an inspiring story, the Vaquita porpoise. I am glad to eventually experience the Vaquita which I never knew existed until I decided to take a Geoscience of Baja class with Marine Biologist Margery Stinson. The world needs to hear more about the endangered Vaquita and it needs to be implemented in Classrooms around the globe as mandatory education. All the scientists that were on this remarkable film have truly showed me the meaning of love for our planet and I will use this to push myself to reach my full potential so I can help do good for a community somewhere, even if it’s just one.

is there someway to do breeding in captivity, i wish that there was more acknowledgement in this and funding.

so sad to see those poor little helpless animals being tangled up in those awful nets. i am posting this to my facebook for sure so that everyone can kow how devestating this issue really is not only for this community but also for the Vaquita. it was such a great video by the way very inspiring and informational. it really enlitened me on the issue and the severity of the endangerment of the Vaquita dolphin. Who knew a simple school project could lead to a website as this one, which could makes someone understand soo much!

Hi Lindsey,
Thanks so much for your kind words. We are happy to hear this has been very helpful and appreciate your help in getting the word out about the vaquita and this website. Feel free to look us up in Facebook too!!
regards,
Catalina

I’m so glad I found your site. It was serendipitous that I got here and an interesting story but too long for here. I’ve been enamored of cetaceae for many decades but somehow even living in Arizona and California, the vaquita escaped my attention until today. I will do what I can to bring more attention to the plight of these fascinating little creatures. I’d like to suggest that anyone who is interested can also do these simple things to help spread the word. 1.) add “Save The Vaquitas” and the link to this site on the signature line of your emails. 2.) share this on any online social networks you belong to. 3.) put a sign in your front window and a bumper sticker on your car 4.) Twitter it 5.) add it to your blog 6.) make up little cards (like business cards) and hand them to people you talk to. I’m sure there are other ways but those are what came immediately to mmind. I’m confident others, especially the young people who read this site, will think of many more than I listed here.

The more people that know about the vaquita, the greater the chances of getting enough people to actively do something that will make a difference. I read your ‘what you can do’ page and it has some excellent suggestions which I believe most everyone can do. It doesn’t take a lot of effort or a lot of time. Just a willingness to change the way we all think about the world we live in and the magnificent creatures we share this planet with.

As long as there are vaquita and enough people are pro active about their conservation, I am hopeful they will survive.

BTW, I’m a big hippo fan and advocate for their survival as well. Recently the pygmy hippo was found to exist in Liberia (which was thought to be extinct)! There’s a lot of work to do to protect them as the population is unknown but thought to be very small. The last sighting was something like 1948. So, if the Liberian pygmy hippo can survive, I shall remain hopeful that the vaquita will as well.

Chris Johnson, I really enjoyed your video. Very well done. Kudos.

A beautiful documentary, fraught with potential doom AND hope. I was surprised at no mention of a major worldwide public education and publicity campaign so that more people can be alerted to this possible catastrophe. Nor was ecotourism suggested as a local enterprise through which local residents could make alternative money. Regarding NOAA’s and other scientific efforts, how much does it cost to deploy one porpoise data collection buoy? Where might I stay in San Felipe if I should travel there? I learned of this situation in Audubon magazine and will spread the information as broadly as possible. HOW ELSE CAN I HELP? Thank you for the wonderful documentary.

have you heard about desvociry of a new colony of monk seals in the Greek archipelo? It was anounced in Dutch newspapers and no specific information on the location was given to avoid a run on the spot