Slide Shows | Evolution

Endangered Tattoos: Volunteers Get Inked to Help Save Species [Slide Show]

Mammals, plants, even fungi are emblazoned on humans who fight for their emblem’s survival

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HUW SPANNER, WHITE TAILED EAGLE:
thumb: HUW SPANNER, WHITE TAILED EAGLE:
HUW SPANNER, WHITE TAILED EAGLE:

A close cousin of the bald eagle, this raptor lives in Europe and Asia and has a wing span of more than two meters.

[Link to this slide]
Photo by Andrew Firth
VICTORIA TURNBULL, CHAMOMILE:
thumb: VICTORIA TURNBULL, CHAMOMILE:
VICTORIA TURNBULL, CHAMOMILE:

This plant is a disappearing variety of the type commonly used in herbal tea.

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Photo by Tom Bing
CHRISTOPHER DAVIES, NORFOLK HAWKER DRAGONFLY:
thumb: CHRISTOPHER DAVIES, NORFOLK HAWKER DRAGONFLY:
CHRISTOPHER DAVIES, NORFOLK HAWKER DRAGONFLY:

The brown insect has clear wings and a yellow triangle on its abdomen and is found only in a few unpolluted marshes.

[Link to this slide]
Photo by Tom Bing
SALLY MCGEE, RAMPION BELLFLOWER:
thumb: SALLY MCGEE, RAMPION BELLFLOWER:
SALLY MCGEE, RAMPION BELLFLOWER:

Rapunzel, locked away in a tower in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, was named after this purple plant’s scientific moniker: Campanula rapunculus.

[Link to this slide]
Photo by Tom Bing
STUART BARNS, STRIPED DOLPHIN:
thumb: STUART BARNS, STRIPED DOLPHIN:
STUART BARNS, STRIPED DOLPHIN:

This marine mammal sports blue and white stripes on its flanks, and is a member of a toothless whale family.

[Link to this slide]
Photo by Tom Bing
CALI LELLIOTT, SAND LIZARD:
thumb: CALI LELLIOTT, SAND LIZARD:
CALI LELLIOTT, SAND LIZARD:

This brown lizard is now limited to living on sand dunes along England’s northwestern coast.

[Link to this slide]
Photo by Tom Bing
KELLY PARISH, TALL THRIFT
thumb: KELLY PARISH, TALL THRIFT
KELLY PARISH, TALL THRIFT

Two nature reserves near Ancaster, England, aim to bring this flowering plant back.

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Photo by Anatomy Project
STEPHEN MEDEEMA, NARROW-LEAVED HELLEBORINE
thumb: STEPHEN MEDEEMA, NARROW-LEAVED HELLEBORINE
STEPHEN MEDEEMA, NARROW-LEAVED HELLEBORINE

This orchid can grow to 60 centimeters (two feet) tall and support up to 20 white-and-yellow flowers.

[Link to this slide]
Photo by Anatomy Project
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2 Comments

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  1. 1. TheInkedNaturalist 04:08 PM 10/19/12

    There are a few of us across the world! Tatzoo and Extinked are incredible projects. I have also involved myself in a similar project to help raise awareness (and raise funds for conservation projects) to the biodiversity (and humanitarian) disaster being allowed to continue in Turkey. At the time of speaking I have had twenty-four species of iconic Turkish birds tattooed onto my arms and hands to help raise awareness and funds (currently raised over £3,000 for the cause). You can read more about my project on my website here: http://www.theinkednaturalist.co.uk/tattoos-walking-for-wildlife-the-full-story/

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  2. 2. auramac 05:05 PM 10/22/12

    I find tattoos repulsive. Get a hat or a t-shirt instead.

    Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
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