Odel to focus on four endemic species to mark World Animal Day

Four endangered or threatened species endemic to Sri Lanka – the Sri Lankan Elephant, the Sri Lankan Leopard, the Chestnut-backed Owlet and the Purple-faced Langur – will be the focus of a creative awareness campaign to be conducted by Odel to mark World Animal Day 2011.

Sri Lanka’s favourite department store plans to use fun to impart information and awareness among children and adults about these and other endangered endemic animals.

Children who visit Odel’s flagship Alexandra Place store from 1 to 9 October will receive on a first come, first served basis, facemasks depicting the four chosen Sri Lankan animals, as the community-conscious fashion retailer promotes its cause for World Animal Day 2011, commemorated universally on 4 October.

Each mask will have information printed on its inner surface about the animal it depicts, to support Odel’s message of conservation.

An information desk is also to be manned by enthusiastic members of the Young Zoologists Association of Sri Lanka during the weekends of 1 and 2 October and 8 and 9 October to provide additional information to visitors on these and other threatened or endangered endemic animals. “A creative approach that captures the attention of the younger generation is needed to increase awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation,” said Odel founder and CEO and World Animal Day ambassador Otara Gunewardene.

“This novel programme combines information with fun, and will, we hope, leave a lasting impression on our young visitors and others.”  Odel will also set aside Rs. 5 of every Rs. 100 spent at the Alexandra Place Store on souvenirs and Embark products during the 8 and 9 October for a project initiated by the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle for the conservation of the Purple-faced Langur.