Category Archives: WCFF Education Outreach

Asia, Biodiversity, Cambodia, Cetaceans, Christopher J. Gervais, conservation, Documentary Films, Dolphins, Endangered Species, environment, Extinction, India, Irrawaddy River Dolphins, Mammals, Marine Mammals, Nature Documentary, Nature Films, Ocean, Ocean Pollution, Plastic Pollution, Power of Film, Uncategorized, Vietnam, WCFF, WCFF Education Outreach, wildlife, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Wildlife Documentary, Wildlife Films

Irrawaddy River Dolphins

April 25, 2018 christopherjgervais Leave a comment

Good News – After decades of irreversible decline, results from a Government of Cambodia census show the population of critically endangered Irrawaddy river dolphins in the Mekong has risen from 80 to 92 in the past two years, the first increase in more than twenty years.

Although sometimes called the Irrawaddy river dolphin, it is not a true river dolphin, but an oceanic dolphin that lives in brackish water near coasts, river mouths and in estuaries. It has established subpopulations in freshwater rivers, including the Ganges and the Mekong, as well as the Irrawaddy River from which it takes its name. Its range extends from the Bay of Bengal to New Guinea and the Philippines although they do not appear to venture off shore.

It is often seen in estuaries and bays in Borneo Island, with sightings from Sandakan in Sabah, Malaysia, to most parts of Brunei and Sarawak, Malaysia. A specimen was collected at Mahakam River in East Kalimantan.

No range-wide survey has been conducted for this vulnerable species; however, the worldwide population appears to be over 7,000, with over 90% occurring in Bangladesh. Populations outside Bangladesh and India are classified as critically endangered. Known subpopulations of Irrawaddy dolphins are found in eight places, listed here in order of population, including conservation status.

The WCFF mission is to inform, engage and inspire wildlife conservation through the power of film. Join us for our eight year anniversary October 18-28, 2018. Ten days with over 100 documentary films screened, many World and North America premieres. Panel discussions, receptions, field trips, networking, virtual reality/360 and more. All Access Film Festival passes are available now for purchase: www.wcff.org/nyc-festival-2018/

Contact: info@wcff.org to join the planning committee. Sponsor the film festival, advertise on the big screen during the outdoor summer series and the October festival. Take a page in the full color program book to be distributed in USA, China and other countries

Christopher J. Gervais, FRGS
Twitter: @CJGERVAIS
Christopher@WCFF.org

Wildlife Conservation Film Festival
October 18-28, 2018 | New York, NY
http://www.WCFF.org
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Biodiversity, Christopher J. Gervais, conservation, Documentary Films, Endangered Species, environment, Film Festival, Fish, habitat destruction, Humpback Whales, Marine Mammals, Marine Protected Area, Micro plastics, Nature Documentary, Nature Films, New York City, Ocean, Ocean Pollution, Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch, Plastic Bags, Plastic Debris, Plastic Pollution, Plastic Sea, Plastic Trash, Plastic Water Bottles, Power of Film, Sea Turtles, Seabirds, Sharks, Single-Use Plastic Straws, Uncategorized, Water, WCFF, WCFF Education Outreach, Whales, wildlife, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Wildlife Documentary, Wildlife Films

Single-Use Plastic Straws

April 5, 2018 christopherjgervais Leave a comment

Single-use plastic straws typically cannot be recycled. Instead, they often end up in our oceans, a big part of our growing plastic pollution crisis. At present humans are unloading the equivalent of a dump truck full of plastic into the world’s oceans every minute. One pile of garbage in the Pacific Ocean has reached at least 87,000 tons and covers an area roughly four times the size of California.

The WCFF informs, engage and inspires wildlife conservation through the power of film. Join us for our eight year anniversary in New York, NY, October 18-28, 2018. Ten days of film screenings, panel discussions, receptions, field trips, networking, Virtual Reality and more.

Christopher J. Gervais, FRGS
Twitter: @CJGERVAIS
Christopher@WCFF.org

Amazon, Biodiversity, Christopher J. Gervais, conservation, Deforestation, Documentary Films, Endangered Species, environment, Film Festival, Guyana, habitat destruction, Habitat Restoration, Iwokrama Reserve, Nature Documentary, Nature Films, Power of Film, Rainforest, South America, Uncategorized, WCFF, WCFF Education Outreach, wildlife, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Wildlife Documentary, Wildlife Films

Green Heart of Guyana

April 2, 2018 christopherjgervais Leave a comment

“The Green Heart of Guyana” produced and directed by Benjamin Driver will premiere at the 2018 WCFF in New York, NY. The WCFF mission is to inform, engage and inspire wildlife conservation through the power of film. Join us for our eight year anniversary is October 18-28, 2018. Ten days of film screenings, panel discussions, receptions, field trips, networking, virtual reality and more. All Access Film Festival passes are available now for purchase: wcff.org/nyc-festival-2018/

https://vimeo.com/256662126

Synopsis: The Green Heart of Guyana is a look into the conservation research that is carried out in the Iwokrama reserve of Guyana. Guyana holds one of the largest intact tropical rain-forests in the world, and here we see renown scientists working with indigenous people of the region to try and protect this wonder. Political pressure is making the fate of Guyanas vast expanse of wilderness unknown. A country the size of Britain that is almost entirely covered in either tropical rain-forest or savanna grassland is in danger of being slowly infested with development that could fragment and erode the forests there. Looking at the different taxa within the tropical habitat, we see how surveys are carried out and building to construct a better understand of how the forests and all its inhabitants are responding to a changing environment and ultimately how the country is trying to use its wealth of resources without trying to exhaust them. Guyana is one of the last strongholds of intact tropical rain forests in the world. This is a unique opportunity, where experience and knowledge can help preserve Guyana’s wildlife before it becomes yet another race to extinction.

Christopher J. Gervais, FRGS
Twitter: @CJGERVAIS
Christopher@WCFF.org

Animal Intelligence, Animal Rights, Atlantic Ocean, Biodiversity, Canada, Cetaceans, Christopher J. Gervais, conservation, Documentary Films, Endangered Species, Endangered Species Act, environment, Extinction, Film Festival, Marine Mammals, Marine Protected Area, Nature Documentary, Nature Films, New York City, North America, North Atlantic Right Whales, Ocean, Ocean Pollution, Oceans, phytoplankton, Plastic Debris, Plastic Pollution, Power of Film, Uncategorized, Vaquita, WCFF, WCFF Education Outreach, Whales, wildlife, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Wildlife Documentary

North Atlantic Right Whale Population is Crashing

March 27, 2018 christopherjgervais Leave a comment

The North Atlantic Right Whale is one of the most endangered of all the large cetaceans. Fewer than 450 remain and this year18 deaths have been recorded off the coasts of USA & Canada by ship strikes. There could be more we are not aware. To make matters worse, no calves have been sighted in 2018 where they and their mothers are found off the coast of southern Georgia and northern Florida. At this current rate of death and lack of newborns, the species will be extinct by 2040.

We will lose the Vaquita this year and have recently lost the Yangtze river Dolphin. When will the world wake up from ignorance.

Christopher J. Gervais, FRGS
Twitter: @CJGERVAIS
Christopher@WCFF.org

Africa, Animal Cruelty, Animal Intelligence, Animal Rights, Biodiversity, Christopher J. Gervais, conservation, Documentary Films, Elephants, Endangered Species, environment, Extinction, Film Festival, Hunting, Illegal Wildlife Trade, Ivory, Nature Documentary, Nature Films, New York City, Poaching, Poaching, Power of Film, Uncategorized, WCFF, WCFF Education Outreach, wildlife, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Wildlife Crime, Wildlife Documentary, Wildlife Films, Zambia

“A Herd of Orphans” – WCFF

March 23, 2018 christopherjgervais Leave a comment

“A Herd of Orphans” produced & directed by Kelly Bakos, screens in New York, NY this October at the WCFF eight year anniversary.

Synopsis: When poachers kill adult elephants for their ivory, the calves that are left behind are orphaned, homeless and and unable to survive without the care of a herd. This endearing documentary film takes us on a journey to Zambia, Africa to meet these young elephants and explore the orphanage that gives these calves a second chance as A Herd of Orphans

WCFF is the premiere international film festival for wildlife. Our mission is to inform, engage and inspire wildlife conservation through the power of film. Join us for our eight year anniversary in New York, NY, October 18-28, 2018. Ten days of film screenings, panel discussions, receptions, field trips, networking, Virtual Reality and more.

Christopher J. Gervais, FRGS
Twitter: @CJGERVAIS
Christopher@WCFF.org

Africa, Animal Rights, Biodiversity, Christopher J. Gervais, conservation, Dehorning, Documentary Films, Endangered Species, environment, Extinction, In vitro fertilization, Kenya, Mammals, Nature Documentary, Nature Films, New York City, Northern White Rhinocerous, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Poaching, Poaching, Rhino, Rhino horn, Rhinos, Sudan-The Last Northern White Rhino, Uncategorized, WCFF, WCFF Education Outreach, White Rhinocerous, wildlife, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Wildlife Crime, Wildlife Documentary, Wildlife Films

The last male Northern White Rhino

March 20, 2018 christopherjgervais Leave a comment

Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhinoceros, has died at the age of 45 years old in Kenya at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. His death leaves the species functionally extinct, as only two females remain. Northern white rhinos used to be found in an area spanning Uganda, Chad, southwestern Sudan, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some 2,000 existed in 1960, but war and poaching drove them to extinction in the wild. Ignorance & greed lead to this tragedy.

Less than 12 Vaquita porpoise remain, fewer then 40 Sumatran Rhinoceros are left, the Yangtze River Dolphin is gone and the North Atlantic Right Whale population is crashing. How many more species must we lose before the world wakes up?

Christopher J. Gervais, FRGS
Twitter: @CJGERVAIS
Christopher@WCFF.org

Australia, Biodiversity, Christopher J. Gervais, conservation, Deforestation, Documentary Films, Endangered Species, environment, Extinction, Film Festival, habitat destruction, Nature Documentary, Nature Films, New York City, Power of Film, Rainforest, Tasmania, Uncategorized, WCFF, WCFF Education Outreach, wildlife, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Wildlife Documentary, Wildlife Films

“A Gentle Giant” premieres at WCFF

March 15, 2018 christopherjgervais Leave a comment

“A Gentle Giant” produced and directed by Mark Pearce of Balangara Films debuts as a world premiere film in New York this October. Documentary film on the giant Tasmanian freshwater lobster.

Known to grow to the size of a small dog and live to 40 years old, the giant Tasmanian freshwater lobster is the largest of its kind in the entire world, but its home is being destroyed by sediment runoff from logging. However, there is hope – Todd Walsh the
lobster man has grown up with this crayfish that gently inches its way around the northern rivers of Australia’s southern-most island. This is his plea to protect a rare and remarkable creature.

Christopher J. Gervais, FRGS
Twitter: @CJGERVAIS
Christopher@WCFF.org

Biodiversity, Bycatch, Christopher J. Gervais, conservation, Documentary Films, Endangered Species, environment, Extinction, Fish, Marine Mammals, Marine Protected Area, Nature Documentary, Nature Films, New York City, Ocean, Ocean Pollution, Oceanic Whitetip Shark, Oceans, Plastic Debris, Plastic Pollution, Plastic Trash, Power of Film, Sea Turtles, Seabirds, Seychelles, Shark finning, Sharks, Uncategorized, WCFF, WCFF Education Outreach, wildlife, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Wildlife Documentary, Wildlife Films

Seeking Sanctuary – Official WCFF Selection

March 13, 2018 christopherjgervais Leave a comment

“Seeking Sanctuary” directed by Nick Jones, produced by Louise Heren and Simon Blakeney is an official selection for 2018.

Christopher J. Gervais, FRGS
Twitter: @CJGERVAIS
Christopher@WCFF.org

Asia, Biodiversity, Christopher J. Gervais, conservation, Deforestation, Documentary Films, Endangered Species, environment, Extinction, Film Festival, Hunting, Illegal Wildlife Trade, Indonesia, Javan Rhino, Mammals, Nature Documentary, Nature Films, Poaching, Poaching, Power of Film, Rhino, Rhino horn, Rhinos, Uncategorized, WCFF, WCFF Education Outreach, wildlife, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Wildlife Crime, Wildlife Documentary, Wildlife Films

Javan Rhinoceros population holding steady

March 10, 2018 christopherjgervais Leave a comment

The Javan rhinoceros, one of the world’s most endangered species, continues to persevere in its last remaining sanctuary, latest census from the Indonesia government finds a minimum of 67 individuals. The species is restricted to Ujung Kulon National Park, which is only 185 square miles, roughly the size of New York City boroughs, Queens and Brooklyn combined

The Javan Rhino was once the most widespread of all rhino species in Asia, found from Assam and Bengal (where their range would have overlapped with both the Sumatran and Indian rhinos) eastward to Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and southwards to the Malay Peninsula and the islands of Sumatra, Java, and possibly Borneo. Today the species is only found in the western tip of the island of Java. Deforestation, human population, poaching have decimate the species.

Christopher J. Gervais, FRGS
Twitter: @CJGERVAIS
Christopher@WCFF.org

Biodiversity, British Columbia, Bycatch, Canada, Canada First Nations, Christopher J. Gervais, Climate Change, conservation, Deforestation, Documentary Films, Endangered Species, environment, Extinction, Film Festival, Fish, habitat destruction, Native Americans, Nature Documentary, Nature Films, North America, Ocean, Ocean Pollution, Oceans, Plastic Pollution, Plastic Trash, Power of Film, Screening, Tseshaht First Nation, Uncategorized, Water, WCFF, WCFF Education Outreach, Wild Pacific Salmon, wildlife, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Wildlife Documentary, Wildlife Films

“I Am Salmon”

March 8, 2018 christopherjgervais Leave a comment

“I Am Salmon” produced and directed by Peter Mieres will premiere at the 2018 Wildlife Conservation Film Festival (WCFF) in New York, NY. The WCFF mission is to inform, engage and inspire wildlife conservation through the power of film. Join us for our eight year anniversary is October 18-28, 2018. Ten days of film screenings, panel discussions, receptions, field trips, networking, virtual reality and more. All Access Film Festival passes are available now for purchase: wcff.org/nyc-festival-2018/

Synopsis: “I Am Salmon” tells the story of the life cycle of the five species of wild pacific salmon and their age old relationship with the Tseshaht First Nation in British Columbia. Wild Pacific Salmon are at risk by a number of threats such as deforestation, pollution, over-fishing and the dams, ect. This short documentary hopes to create awareness of the issue.

Watch trailer: https://vimeo.com/259220503

Christopher J. Gervais, FRGS
Twitter: @CJGERVAIS
Christopher@WCFF.org

From the Founder: Wildlife Conservation Film Festival