Last night I watched Souls of the Vermillion Sea, a short film on the Vaquita- an extremely endangered species in the Northern Gulf of California that is at risk due to the poaching of another at risk species, the Totoaba. Watch the video on YouTube here: Souls of the Vermillion Sea.
There are estimated at 30 of these cute little “sea pandas” left. The US Navy Marine Mammal Program is preparing to mount an incredible effort to capture the remaining individuals, whisk them into the safety of a sea pen, until/if the threat of gill nets is relieved. Check out their efforts at VaquitaCPR.
In the meantime there have been a few fundraising campaigns, including IMATA’s GoFund me, which raised almost $17,000 including IMATA’s matched donation of the first $5,000. And the current campaign headed straight for a zoo near you is #piedforaporpoise, where participants are tagged and then encouraged to either be pied for a porpoise, or donate $30 to VaquitaCPR ($1 for each estimated remaining vaquita).
I was inspired to design this decal to help you show your support for the vaquita marina on International Save the Vaquita day on July 8, 2017.
Tag your friends, share this post- awareness is key to their survival.