Monday, December 19, 2016

A New Charismatic Species Debuts

All God's creatures aren't equally loved and lovely. Some make few hit parades, while a blessed few star on nature catalogs and requests for donations. Likewise, which ones get made into children's stuffed animals?

What is less known is that some species get overused in conservation campaigns. After all, impressive ones like grizzly bears (even though their scientific name is ursus horribilis), kingfishers, robins, and pronghorn antelopes get overused and lose their impact. Therefore, ad campaigns need to find new charismatic species to stimulate interest and possible contributions. Now, they should be impressive, cute, and have an environmental impact.

Dung beetles and maggots may be with environmental impacts; but no one is going to be moved to contribute money to help save the dung beetles. Well, maybe politicians who recognize a kindred spirit. 

Revis Wainwright, a ad man for Cookem, Eatem, Burton, and Wank, was assigned to develop a campaign advertisement for a nature group. He decided to forego the usual overused creatures, and develop a new charismatic animal for a fund-raising campaign. He found a likely new one:

The nutria!

Furthermore, his campaign included lobbying for lower speed limits in Louisiana swamps to reduce the number of fatalities for this new charismatic species so prematurely terminated before their time! Now that's taking edgy to a new level!

At least he rejected rattus norwegicus!



7 comments:

Anonymous said...

It looks like a well-fed rat.

Cloudia said...

With your mention of politicians, you remind me of Hawaii's best political columnist David Shapiro. A friend I met because I admired his writing and humor so much. You are special like that too, Angel!

Gorilla Bananas said...

Whatever happened to rattus rattus? He seems to have faded from the limelight since his starring role in the Black Death.

Mike said...

I think it's other name, the Coypu, would be better. Nutria sounds like something to eat.

Big Sky Heidi said...

I found this nutra chili recipe: http://nutria.com/site16.php

Linda Kay said...

We had to deal with nutria when we lived by a lake here in Texas, and they are really destructive. Hope you and your have a wonderful Christmas weekend.

Bilbo said...

"... politicians who recognize a kindred spirit." I love you, Angel! Merry Christmas!