Center for Biological Diversity

For Immediate Release, July 3, 2017

Contact:  Jessica Herrera, (520) 260-1725, jherrera@biologicaldiversity.org

Hundreds of Endangered Species Condoms to Be Given Away at Lincoln Park Zoo

New Program Highlighting Effect of Human Population Growth on Wildlife Debuts Thursday in Chicago

CHICAGO— Hundreds of free Endangered Species Condoms will be given away at Chicago's Lincoln Park  Zoo on Thursday as part of a new program created by the Center for Biological Diversity to get people who are interested in science and the natural world talking about the effect of human population growth on wildlife.

The colorful condom packages include species threatened by population growth and slogans like “Wrap with care, save the polar bear” and “When you're feeling tender, think about the hellbender.”

“As our population grows, and urban sprawl and agricultural development destroy wild spaces, species we know and love pay the price,” said Sarah Baillie, a population and sustainability intern at the Center. “People may recognize that we're crowding out monarch butterflies and horned lizards, but they often don't realize that there's a big way individuals can make a difference. Pillow Talk helps people understand how conscientious family planning can protect wildlife.”

The event marks the debut of “Pillow Talk,” the Center's new educational outreach program with zoos, museums and science centers across the country to encourage visitors to draw the connection between human population growth and the wildlife extinction crisis. Pillow Talk is the first program of its kind.

In the past 50 years, as human population has more than doubled, wildlife populations have been halved. The United Nations predicts that global population will reach 9.8 billion by 2050 and exceed 11 billion by 2100. In May the population of the United States surpassed 325 million.

At the Pillow Talk events, Center volunteers will distribute hundreds of condoms, answer questions and help visitors get a better understanding of the environmental costs of daily actions.

In addition to Chicago, Pillow Talk will be a feature of 21-and-over events at zoos, museums and science centers in more than 15 cities this summer, including Durango, Colo.; Austin, Texas; Racine, Wis.; Jersey City, N.J.; Anchorage, Alaska; and Portland, Ore.

The program's launch is also part of the Center's actions in honor of World Population Day, July 11. World Population Day was designated by the United Nations in 1989 to raise awareness about global population issues. There are more than 7.5 billion people on the planet, with the United States ranked as the third-most populous country.

The Center's population and sustainability program uses creative media to promote a range of common-sense solutions like access to family planning and reproductive health services, as well as education, opportunity and equal rights for women and girls.

Endangered species condoms

All condom packages designed by Lori Lieber with artwork by Shawn DiCriscio © 2015. This image is available for media use.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.3 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

www.biologicaldiversity.org

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