For Immediate Release, February 9, 2018

Contact:  Sarah Baillie, (520) 623-5252 x 308, [email protected]

Hundreds of Endangered Species Condoms to Be Given Away in Lincoln

Program Highlights Effect of Human Population Growth on Wildlife

LINCOLN, Neb.— Hundreds of free Endangered Species Condoms will be given away by the Center for Biological Diversity on Valentine’s Day as part of the University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History’s “Love Struck: Romance in the Natural World” event.

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.”

The condom distribution is a part of the Center’s Pillow Talk program, which aims to get people who are interested in science and the natural world talking about the effect of human population growth on wildlife.

“The Center for Biological Diversity’s Endangered Species Condoms program is a unique catalyst for conversations about the effect of human population growth on natural resources like water and our unintentional impacts on species extinction,” said University of Nebraska State Museum director Dr. Susan Weller. “This creative program helps tell an important ecological story and also sheds light on how we, as humans, can make a difference. We look forward to having them as part of our Valentine’s Day event.”

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. At the end of 2017, there were nearly 326 million people living in the United States. There are more than 7.6 billion people on the planet, with the United States ranked as the third-most populous country.

“Lots of couples will get lucky this Valentine's Day, but wildlife and the environment will be far less fortunate in our increasingly crowded world,” said Sarah Baillie, Endangered Species Condoms coordinator at the Center. “As our population grows, and urban sprawl and agricultural development destroy wild spaces, species we know and love pay the price. Pillow Talk helps people understand how conscientious family planning can protect wildlife.”

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.