Animals with PR Problems
People are fickle. Some will find you cuddly and adorable while others will consider you despicable. These wild animals need an image makeover.
Bats
Bram Stoker’s Dracula first began terrifying us in 1897, and a long string of vampire movies followed. Actually there are just three species of vampire bats in the world and they all live in Latin America. Many bats help out farmers by feasting nightly on crop eating insects. But the spooky, blood sucking stereotype seems to never die.
Bat Conservation International is devoted to conservation, education, and research initiatives involving bats and the ecosystems they serve.
Rhinoceros
We know rhinoceros as hard headed, easily agitated animals who like to charge straight ahead. With large horns on their foreheads, these guys are definitely not the soft and cuddly type. But that testosterone laden image got them a company logo gig with Rhino linings. So if you need spray on protection for your pickup truck bed, look for the Rhino. It’s not the same as having a malt liquor or muscle car named after you, but it’s a start.
The International Rhino Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the worldwide conservation of the five living species of rhinoceros: Black, White, Indian, Javan and Sumatran.
Sharks
Peter Benchley agonized over the role Jaws played in contributing to the shark hunting frenzy of the 1970’s.
The Shark Research Institute (SRI) works to correct misperceptions about sharks and stop the slaughter of 100 million sharks annually. A primary conservation strategy of SRI is creating value for sharks as sustainable natural resources for tourism industries, particularly in developing countries.
Flying Lemur
These odd, nocturnal creatures glide across treetops in the jungle but haven’t yet built a strong following in the human world.
bats, Dracula, vampires, rhinoceros, sharks, flying lemur
November 30th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
The bats are my favorite. Don’t know why, but a few years ago I did a lot of research on those cuties, and actually considered constructing a bat house to attract them. I I reconsidered when I figured the neighbors might not be so bat-friendly. Still, I am fascinated by bats, and if I ever have the chance to live in the country, I just may follow up on that.
November 30th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Rhinos aren’t cute…but i find them beautiful…:D
November 30th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
I envy the rhinos. Even when they get old, they’re still horny. Whatever.