Ecotourism is also known as ecological tourism, and is directed to the responsible traveler. Ecotourism shares and teaches the traveler to protect and enjoy the different fragile and pristine areas in the planet. Ecotourism helps educating the traveler; providing funds for conservation; directly benefiting the economic development and political empowerment of local communities; teaching respect for nature, animals, different cultures and for human rights. Ecotourism (like sustainable tourism) is focus in maintaining and regenerating the future of the next generations, by protecting and experiencing the wonderful environment we have today.

Wildlife Connection is the perfect example of a serious and responsible Ecotour operator. A Mexican organization dedicated to the study and conservation of dolphins and whales. Apart of their research activities and educational efforts,  Wildlife Connection's specialized tours offer to the general public an opportunity to experience a close contact with nature and its wild animals.

In Banderas Bay the conscious tourist would enjoy whale and dolphin watching, as well as witnessing marine turtles laying eggs on its beaches and exotic birds inhabiting the lush tropical forest in the company of professional biologists.
These tours also represent a source of funds for their research and conservation programs. So by taking one of these amazing tours the tourist is contributing to the preservation and research of this beautiful habitat.  Wildlife Connection is lead by biologist Ma. Eugenia Rodríguez (Maru) and wildlife photographer Eduardo Lugo, who have been doing whale research since 1991 and eco tours and whale watching guides since 1995. 
http://suddhaprem.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65&Itemid=83

PUERTO VALLARTA WHALE WATCHING TOUR


Whale watching is one of the most impressive activities in nature you can participate in. Of all the whales, the humpbacks (Megaptera novaeangliae) are the most spectacular ones thanks to their breaching, lobtailing, flippering and their beautiful songs, which are part of their courtship rituals. Wildlife Connection offers the tourist the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable encounter with these friendly giants who arrive to Puerto Vallarta to mate and give birth, during the winter months, year after year.  Wildlife Connection guides are professional biologists prepared to share their knowledge and ready to make the tour an unforgettable experience.

The whale watching tour is available from December 8 through March 23.

This winter you can be part of A WHALE WATCHING SAFARI ADVENTURE. Photographing big mammals with EDUARDO LUGO



Suddha Prem and Mita Residential offer a Safari Adventure Package in Sayulita:

•    4 nights / 5 days Accommodation in private Villa accommodating only 6 people.
•    All organic meals
•    Transportation (airport transfers and activities)
•    Services (villa maids, cooks, and concierge)
•    Whale Watching
•    3-day workshop with two daily classes: Morning -- 1 1/2 hours of theory and round table and a Safari Photographic Adventure/field work on board the "Searcher I or II "our fasts vessels (27 ft), and Afternoon revision of the material.
•    Surfing

http://suddhaprem.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70&Itemid=86

Be Part of this Adventure and Adopt a Whale
We invite you to participate in the study and conservation of the whales. Wildlife Connection has the first real Adopt-A-Whale Program in Puerto Vallarta, called RADAR.
WHALE RESEARCH PROJECT

Due to the fact that whales spend most of their lives underwater, the first studies conducted were performed on animals that were stranded or caught during the whaling era. The whaling itself was a dark age in the history of many species reducing their populations to almost extinction. Humpback whales were no exception. Today, they are still on the endangered species list, which means that any ongoing research is of a great importance since a lot more information is needed to successfully assist the conservation of the species. Wildlife Connection has been studying the Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Banderas Bay since 1991. The first and very important step was to recognize the whales individually, which has been carried out by taking photos of the ventral part of the fluke, where unique patterns of pigmentation are present. Using these patterns as a fingerprint we have now catalogued more than 810 different whales. Our project continues, as there is still much to learn and understand. Over these past few years we have learned more about humpback behavior and the importance of certain areas for their successful breeding and survival. Banderas Bay, being a place where humpbacks gather every winter to mate and breed, is a place of an enormous importance and its conservation has to be recognized as an urgent priority. For more information please visit www.wildlifeconnection.org

Biologist: Ma. Eugenia Rodríguez.

Maru is graduated from Universidad de Guadalajara and started her research on cetacean since 1994.
Her work and thesis have contributed to a major understanding of hunchback whales at Bahia de Banderas, this has promoted regulating standards of whale observing activities in the country. She did her master´s degree at Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada ( CISESE for its initials in Spanish). Her thesis is about  SPATIO-TEMPORAL ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (Tursiops truncatus) UP NORTH OF BAHIA DE BANDERAS, JALISCO-NAYARIT, MEXICO. Nowadays she is the leader of Wildlife Connection and its research projects.

Photographer: Eduardo Lugo.

Eduardo Lugo did his studies as a photographer in Mexico City at AGFA institute, Kodak Mexicana and at the university center of cinematography studies where he had Doña Lola Álvarez Bravo as a teacher. He began his career as a photographer in 1982. For ten years he worked mostly for advertising photography and audiovisual production. Beginning in 1987 he also worked on naturalistic photography and he has photographed a remarkable number of species of the Mexican fauna ever since. Since 1989 he has specialized on the photograph and study of dolphins and whales; his work has been published on elementary and junior high school textbooks, in nature related books, several newspapers and the most important magazines of Mexico such as: Mexico Desconocido, Geomundo, Epoca, Amigo, Escala, Vuelo, Homes and Living, Lifestyle, Quo, Vacaciones, Amura and National Geographic. He has participated in more than 10 exhibitions, six out of them on his own and the rest with other photographers.

Gabriela Rocha is the director of Suddha Prem.

Gabriela has been a professional photographer with more than ten years of experience in Public Relations. She is committed to promoting spirituality, ecotourism, tourism, real state, sustainable development, art, food, electronic and spiritual music.

Suddha Prem is a full-service company that specializes in luxurious and budget-conscious, eco-friendly travel, yoga and breath work retreats, photo safaris, eco-tours, vacations and special events within North America and Mexico.

A fusion of a Spiritual ecotour operator and a traveling Healing Center.

http://suddhaprem.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1