Fauna & Flora

Irrawaddy Dolphin Appeal

Protecting a Critically Endangered Species

Fauna & Flora approached us to help raise awareness and support for the critically endangered Irrawaddy River Dolphin. Over the past 20 years, their population has fallen by 50 percent. Today, only 72 remain in Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River.

With limited usable footage of the dolphins or local communities, and filming challenges in the region, animation offered the most effective way to bring their story to life and support Fauna & Flora’s urgent conservation and fundraising efforts.

Illustration of Irrawaddy dolphins swimming gracefully in green-tinted water, viewed from below, evoking the serenity and mystery of marine life in their natural underwater habitat.

A Story of Connection, Loss and Hope

For generations, Irrawaddy River Dolphins and local fishermen in Myanmar have shared a unique partnership. We used this as the heart of an animated film that contrasts past harmony with a present threatened by pollution and destructive fishing. Narrated by Stephen Fry, the story highlights the urgency of conservation. Hand-drawn, 2D and frame-by-frame animation brought the river to life, supported by a custom soundscape built from local instruments and field recordings to root the film in place and culture.

Illustration of a dolphin surfacing near a fishing boat under moonlight, highlighting the peaceful yet fragile coexistence between marine life and traditional fishing practices.