Inking Endangered Animals

The Endangered Ink Project 2007 raises funds for endangered animals by using a unique marketing tool: skin.

[ClickPress, Sun Feb 11 2007] Award winning tattoo artist Lisa Fasulo is drawing a mountain gorilla, but not on paper. Her canvas is human skin.

Tattoos By Lisa tattoo studio, in upstate New York, has launched a fundraising campaign aimed at saving the earth's endangered animals from extinction. One tattoo at a time.

"Over one third of the earth's animals are considered threatened, and over one quarter of all americans are tattooed. That means alot of available skin", said Fasulo, owner of Tattoos By Lisa studio and tattoo school. The Endangered Ink Project 2007 is a tattoo project that uses this skin as a billboard for endangered animal awareness.

Customers select any animal that is listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List, the official list that classifies endangered animals and plants. Lisa then tattoos a realistic rendering of the animal on the person for a donation of $150.00.

These funds go to Tattoos By Lisa's favorite endangered animal charities, one of which is the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

This organization helps protect the dwindling gorilla population in Africa.
With less than 700 mountain gorillas existing in the wild, extinction could be as close as 10 years away.

"Getting this tattoo was a way to combine beauty and send a message at the same time" said Ann Gabler from St. Mary's, Pa. "Most people are curious about my tattoo, which gives me an opportunity to talk about the plight of this particular animal".

Leo Carusone, from Glenmont, N.Y., proudly sports an African lion on his leg.
"When I found out how many animals are endangered, I was shocked. If people band together with something like the Endangered Ink Project our voices are louder and our resources greater".

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