Conservation Group To Give Away Thousands Of Endangered Species Condoms On Earth Day

A conservation group is gearing up for a rather unique way of observing Earth Day this week. It will be giving away thousands of condoms that feature endangered species.

Earth Day is just around the corner, so millions of people all over the globe are getting ready to take part in activities that help protect our planet from the many threats that it is facing, from pollution to climate change and the current mass extinction.

To mark the event, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), a non-profit conservation group, will be giving away thousands of conservation-themed condoms. Each will feature an endangered species and a witty slogan. For instance, the condom package that features the monarch butterfly reads, "Fumbling in the dark? Think of the monarch." Another that features the polar bear says, "Wrap with care. Save the polar bear."

Photos of the other condoms are also available here.

According to the organization, the species featured on the condoms are the ones threatened by human population growth. From the first Earth Day in 1970, the world's population has substantially grown from 3.7 billion to 7.8 billion, while wildlife populations saw a whopping 68% drop.

In fact, many experts believe we are currently seeing the sixth mass extinction. And unlike the five previous extinction events that were caused by natural phenomena, today's crisis is caused by human activity, including the unsustainable way we use resources as well as our impacts on climate change. For instance, a significant portion of land that hosts biodiversity has been converted for food production.

"Every day we add 227,000 people to the planet. As our population grows, we crowd out other animals and plants," Sarah Baillie, population and stability organizer at the CBD, said in the organization's news release.

The condoms that the group will be giving away also include valuable information on how the human population can affect wildlife. Therefore, these condoms do not just spice up this year's Earth Day celebration, they also start the conversation on a critical topic.

"Endangered Species Condoms help people make the connection between safe sex and saving wildlife," Baillie reportedly said, adding that the items are "great conversation starters."

In total, the group will be giving away 15,000 condoms at various events as well as campuses on Earth Day, including Texas A&M University, University of Vermont, Arkansas State University and Nebraska Wesleyan University. But this is not the first time that the organization will give out these condoms. It said it has given away more than a million free Endangered Species Condoms since 2009.