From The World Wildlife Fund

Dear Friend of WWF, Your support counts, which is why we're offering you a special opportunity to help WWF protect nature and own one of 3,200 hand-crafted tigers. When you donate monthly to WWF's global conservation efforts, you can receive one of these unique tigers as a thank-you gift. Watch this video to see how each hand-woven tiger is unique. Why were these crafts made? The lowland, wet evergreen forests of Central Vietnam are very special--it's the only place in the country to have confirmed records of tiger breeding in the last decade. Shockingly, throughout Asia, the estimated count of this majestic species has declined from 100,000 in 1900 to as few as 3,200 today. To raise awareness about the challenges facing this species, WWF partnered with the Ta Oi women of central Vietnam. These women, famous for creating zeng cotton textiles colored with natural vegetable dyes, have hand-woven 3,200 tigers exclusively for WWF. Each tiger is embroidered with a "serial number" ranging from "1 of 3200" to "3200 of 3200". This number and the different weave patterns ensure that no two individual tigers look alike, just as each of the world's 3,200 remaining wild tigers is unique. View a video of the Ta Oi women at work. Just one of the 3,200 different hand-crafted tigers. Your tiger will be unique in both color and design. How can you help? One of these unique hand-crafted tigers can be yours free when you donate to WWF's global conservation efforts. As a monthly giver, your generosity helps preserve and protect our world's majestic species--like tigers--and the habitats in which they live. Don't wait--there are limited quantities available! And, when you make your donation, we’ll share with you a longer, exclusive behind-the-scenes video that details how the Tai Oi created these works of art. This is only available to people who make a gift to WWF through this campaign. Why give now? This year is the 2010 Chinese Year of the Tiger. If we do not respond to the plight of wild tigers and the needs of the communities that share their home with tigers, we will witness the loss of one of the world's most irreplaceable natural wonders of our lifetime. Your support counts not just for 3,200 tigers, but also for threatened wildlife and their habitats around the world. Please take advantage of this great opportunity and help protect nature and wildlife today. Sincerely yours, Terry Macko Vice President, Membership P.S. Hurry--there are only a limited number of hand-crafted tigers that we can share with our friends like you. Your support counts--make your donation to WWF today.

Tiger image © Alain Compost/WWF-Canon