Save the golden-rumped elephant shrews.
It's all I can do not to imagine a tiny little critter with a huge, leathery, golden backside... oops... Too late.
Protection for 'weirdest' species (BBC):Oh, and in case you were wondering, it does look similar to what I had imagined, except for the "leathery" part. See for yourself.
A conservation programme for some of the world's most bizarre and unusual creatures has been launched by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).
Species like the bumblebee bat and the pygmy hippopotamus will be protected under the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (Edge) project.
The scheme targets animals with unique evolutionary histories that are facing a real risk of extinction.
The ZSL says many of these species are ignored by existing conservation plans.
The Society defines Edge animals as having few close relatives, genetically distinct, and require immediate action to save them from extinction.
[more]
Cute as all-let-out, no?
(click on image to enlarge... all of the shrew, not just it's golden rump)
(click here for the image source and more info)
Technorati Tags: environment, golden-rumped elephant shrew
5 comment(s):
The Lord God created that golden-assed shrew through Intelligent Design you heathen!
By tom, at Tuesday, January 16, 2007 3:24:00 PM
No, dude... not the Lord God. It was Zeus!
Wanna have a clash of civilizations here, bud? Do'ya?
:)
By Moses, at Tuesday, January 16, 2007 4:42:00 PM
They could fund their efforts by making and selling stuffed animals for kids based on that darling creature.
By MNObserver, at Wednesday, January 17, 2007 10:35:00 AM
The Bumblebee Bet is pretty darn cute as well. It weighs little more than a dime and has a wingspan of only 6 inches. Adorable.
By La Roux, at Thursday, January 18, 2007 9:37:00 AM
When I read that headline, "golden-rumped elephant shrews", I thought it was going to be a snark about the Republican congressional minority.
By sean incognito, at Friday, January 19, 2007 12:10:00 PM
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