A Quirky Show of Support

Last month one hundred volunteers signed up to raise awareness for one hundred of the UK’s most endangered species, by getting tattooed! The idea came together as 2009 marked the bicentennial of Charles Darwin.

The project, ExtInked, devised by the Manchester artist collective (UHC), combined the artistic talent of tattooists from Ink Vs Steel with the expertise of a number of conservation charities. Unique illustrations, based on endangered species listed by the UK's Biodiversity Action Plan, were created and then tattooed on the volunteer ambassadors.

Participant applications were in the hundreds and the opening night of the exhibition drew a crowd of over three hundred visitors. A range of rare birds, mammals, invertebrates, plants, fungi (yes, fungi!), amphibians and reptiles now permanently mark the flesh of the lucky chosen participants.

What a truly innovative way to promote conservation awareness!

Curious about the organisations involved in ExtInked?
Considering adopting a turtle, cleaning a beach, or learning about Britain’s rarest creepy crawlies?
Or perhaps you’d just like to know where to report a recent hedgehog sighting or find out how to participate in the third Great Nut Hunt!

If so then have fun checking out the following links!

Ultimate Holding Company
The Marine Conservation Society
Buglife (The Invertebrate Conservation Trust)
People's Trust for Endangered Species