01
THE FILM
Impending extinction comes to a tipping point for one of the world's most iconic species and ecosystems, revealing the true nature of our interconnectedness. For two young filmmakers, this crisis sparks a stunning journey across the Pacific Northwest, joining activists, scientists and Indigenous leaders, to uncover corruption and stop injustice before it’s too late.
Gloria and Elena met on Saturna Island, BC. Gloria was tracking the Southern Resident Killer Whales and Elena capturing the story for her organization. After witnessing the ecological crisis first-hand, they joined forces to lead this film and movement.
THE FILM
Coextinction leaves the audience in understanding that we are all connected, our choices have consequences, and that perhaps the orcas are trying to warn us.
The film changes the way we think about and relate to nature, to act with long-term coexistence in mind, because everything is interconnected. A healthy environment and economy go hand in hand.
02
THE CHARACTERS
Join us as we track emaciated grizzly with the ‘Namgis First Nation, uncover the truth behind fish farms, and follow a young orcas’ fight to survive.
Coextinction is a full feature film that depicts a wide selection of fascinating and vibrant characters. From prominent scientists to Indigenous Peoples to political stakeholders — each character pulls us a little deeper into this complex story.
03
KILLER WHALES
The Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW), composed of three different pods (J, K, and L), are a unique sub-species of orca with their own culture, language, and diet.
The Southern Residents eat only salmon, mostly Chinook (King) salmon. They live in a matriarchal society where families form sub-pods centred around older females, usually grandmothers or great-grandmothers. The orcas (both female and male) travel with their mothers even after they are fully grown and will stay with their mothers for life.
KILLER WHALES
Each Southern Resident pod uses a specific dialect of calls (sounds) to communicate. The calls used by the Southern Resident community are unique and unlike the calls used by any other community of killer whales in the world.
The Salish Sea is where you will often see The Southern Resident Killer Whales from Spring through Fall - it's their home. The Salish Sea includes the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Strait of Georgia, Puget Sound, and all their connecting channels and adjoining waters. It also includes the waters around and between the San Juan Islands in the U.S. State of Washington and the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada.
"I'm not going to count them
to zero, at least not quietly"
- Ken Balcomb
SINCE THE MAKING OF COEXTINCTION BEGAN, ONE BY ONE, SOUTHERN RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN DISAPPEARING
J52: Sonic
KILLER WHALES
L92: Crewser
K13: Skagit
K25: Scoter
(son of Skagit)
J17: Princess Angeline
J50: Scarlet
2014-2018
J50's dorsal fin is modelled in the Coextinction logo. A resilient and playful orca before her death, Scarlet represented hope to many.
J35's Calf
Born & Died in 2018
It's what was more than 3 years since the SRKWs had a successful pregnancy. In an act of what scientists believe was grief, this deceased calf was carried by its mother for 17 days.
04
THE ISSUES
The Salish Sea is one of the planet's most celebrated and beloved ecosystems. But beneath the surface, lies the grim reality that its future, and the survival of the Southern Resident Killer Whale species, is under threat. Every day, environmental issues such as declining in salmon stocks, climate change, dams, increasing vessel traffic, pipelines and pollutants, are taking a toll.
Click the images below to learn more about how each issue impacts the Salish Sea and the Southern Resident Killer Whale.
