Dear Friends and Collectors,

About four hours southeast of San Diego, at the far north end of the Gulf of California, live the remaining few of the most endangered cetacean on earth, a small porpoise called the vaquita.

First identified and described as an individual species only in 1958, vaquitas are the smallest cetacean (at a maximum of about five feet), and the rarest, numbering probably less than 150 individuals. Since they only give birth every two years, unlike most other porpoises and dolphins, there are probably no more than six or eight born each year. Also, they only live to an age of twenty or twenty-one years. Given these factors, the continued existence of these beautiful little animals is precarious even without human competition. Unfortunately, as many as 20-30 vaquitas have been trapped and drowned each year in gill nets set for fish and shrimp, and vaquita numbers are falling fast.

The coastal residents of this far northern corner of the Gulf of California depend on fishing and shrimping to feed their families. Just saying, “stop fishing” is neither practical nor reasonable. Still, there are things that can be done. The American Cetacean Society, Monterey Bay Chapter (which I have belonged to for almost 30 years), and others, are trying to help. If you would like more information about vaquitas, please visit www.vivavaquita.org. If you would like more information about the American Cetacean Society or American Cetacean Society Monterey Bay, visit www.acsonline.org or www.starrsites.com/acsmb.

All of the above costs money, which leads to why I’m writing this letter to you. I’ve completed a new sculpture titled VAQUITA, and for the next year or so, we are going to use it to raise funds to try to protect these animals. The details about the piece and how to order it are on the flip side of this page, but knowing that some of you may not have the room for another sculpture, or, because of the economy, may not be able to afford another piece, I’d like to ask you to give what you can. Twenty bucks help. Fifty helps more. Also, take the time to write to the president of Mexico and ask that he maintain and extend the current moratorium on fishing in the vaquita’s range, and continue to help fishermen to convert their rigs or find other means of making a living. If you belong to or support other conservation organizations, ask them to get involved advocating for the vaquita.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you like my newest sculpture, VAQUITA, and that you’ll help us try to keep them from disappearing from the face of the earth.

Sincerely,


Randy Puckett

The vaquita, the most endangered cetacean on earth, will almost undoubtedly be extinct within less than ten years if serious actions are not taken immediately to protect them. I am releasing my newest piece, VAQUITA, in an effort to help fund some of these actions.

VAQUITA portrays a male vaquita as it might appear in shallow sunlit waters. The sculpture is bronze, measures 8 ½” High, 10” Wide, and 6” Deep. It is mounted on a revolving walnut base and is in an edition of 350 with 35 Artists Proofs.

VAQUITA will be released to galleries in January, 2011, at $1,200.00 (or $1,500 for an Artists Proof). Prior to January, 2011, you may purchase VAQUITA for $550.00 (or $850.00 for an A.P.), provided you make a contribution of $400.00 or more to American Cetacean Society, Monterey Bay, Project Vaquita.

To order VAQUITA, please fill out the attached order form and send it to me together with a reserve deposit of $300.00, and your separate contribution check of $400.00 or more made out to ACSMB, Project Vaquita. When your sculpture is finished and ready to ship we will notify you and, upon receipt of the balance due, we will ship you your sculpture.

I hope you will join us in the effort to protect these beautiful, shy little animals from extinction.


Randy Puckett

VAQUITA ORDER FORM

VAQUITA FLYER

THE WHALES OF RANDY PUCKETT
18593 Vierra Canyon Road
Salinas, California 93907
831-663-4494
E-mail: randypuckett@worldnet.att.net
Web site: www.whalesofrandypuckett.com