Endangered Ink
The Center for Biological Diversity works in many ways to save life on Earth. We fight climate change, protect public lands, defend wildlife from development and mining, and advocate for environmental justice. But preventing extinction was our first task and remains core to our mission.
You can see our love for the wild in our work. In the 30+ years since our founding, we’ve gained first-time protection, through listing petitions and litigation, for more than 740 species under the Endangered Species Act — a greater number than all other U.S. conservation groups combined.
And you can also see our love for the wild in how we wear our hearts on our sleeves — or rather, our skin.
Take a look at tattoos of endangered species on the bodies of Center staffers from across our organization: lawyers, mapmakers, communications specialists, and more. Intriguing ink, for sure, but also a great way to start conversations about the creatures we work to save — and spread the love.
California condor worn by Kara Clauser: “During the first Covid quarantine in 2020, my roommates and I watched the Ventana Wildlife Society’s condor nest cam every day. It was a scary time for everyone, and we found comfort in watching a perfect condor family — Kingpin (father), Redwood Queen (mother), and their perfect baby Iniko. One day the live feed cut out and we learned about the devastating Dolan Fires in Big Sur. These fires killed 11 condors, including Kingpin, but miraculously baby Iniko and Redwood Queen survived. I got this tattoo in memory of Kingpin and all other condors whose lives were lost that day.”
American pika worn by Anna Mirocha: “I learned about American pikas right after I started working at the Center for Biological Diversity more than a decade ago, when I was asked to write text for our webpage on the species. Pikas look like rodents, but they’re actually lagomorphs (related to rabbits), and climate change is one of their biggest threats. I can’t remember exactly how this tattoo design came together, but I wanted something metal, like a human skull, to juxtapose the pika’s preposterous cuteness. Also, the skull could represent the end of humanity, which might happen soonish if the climate emergency keeps accelerating. So the whole tattoo kind of shows a magical future where pikas have somehow survived but humans have tapped out, letting nature rebound.”
Fender’s blue butterfly worn by Miranda Daviduk: “My tattoo of a Fender’s blue butterfly on a Kincaid lupine is an homage to where I live in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, which is also where these butterflies live. Fender’s blue butterflies and Kincaid lupine are both threatened species, after the Fender’s got downlisted from endangered in 2023. These tiny, vibrant little butterflies are so neat: They have only a 1-inch wingspan, live for just seven to 14 days, are entirely dependent on the Kincaid’s lupine flower, and live only in the prairie and oak savannahs of the Willamette Valley.”
Gray wolf, great horned owl and cheetah worn by Tara Zuardo: “I waited six years to find the right tattoo to get. When I saw a painting of this image I just knew, instinctively, that this was what I wanted on my back. I knew that the one lasting commitment I would always have would be to animal protection. Interestingly, I went on to work on very specific campaigns for each of these animals (not so much by choice, but more because the need just happened to arise), so I look at it almost like a foreshadowing of what was to come.
“Wolves in particular are some of the most misunderstood animals, but some of the most important as well, as they help maintain balance in our ecosystems. They improve habitat, control invasive species, and increase the populations of a number of other important critters. Predator species are so important, but also so misunderstood and targeted for hunting and other lethal wildlife control methods. Since I joined the Center in 2023, I’ve focused on trying to get protection for other underappreciated critters that play key roles in our ecosystems, migratory bird protection, and increasing awareness surrounding some of the damaging, widespread wildlife control practices.”
Panther worn by Izzi Stein: “I’m a fan of the American traditional tattoo style, and the panther has remained one of the most iconic images within the genre. I have multiple traditional panther tattoos because they resonate so much with me. They are known to symbolize (among many other things) courage, stealth, and survival. It goes without saying that I feel a special affinity for the Center’s work protecting endangered mountain lions in Florida and Southern California.”
West Indian manatee, vaquita, and American alligator worn by Tala DiBenedetto: “Manatees inspired my interest in endangered species conservation. After first seeing a manatee and subsequently learning they were endangered when I was 10, I would make little ‘Save the Manatee’ signs during my extra period. When I was faced with deciding on what I wanted to do for a career, I thought back to that and decided to become a lawyer dedicated to protecting animals. When applying to/throughout law school, my friends and roller derby teammates would call me the ‘future manatee lawyer.’
“Vaquitas are very close to my heart. During law school, I authored and submitted a motion related to the conservation of the vaquita porpoise for consideration at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature World Conservation Conference. I also attended a rally at the Mexican embassy urging Mexican officials to help conserve the precious few left.
“And I have an alligator tattoo … because I’m a litiGator.”
Learn more about the Center for Biological Diversity’s work to end extinctions.
