Let's Celebrate Koalas Today!

Today is International Wild Koala Day, a day started in 2016 by a group of koala conservation groups to raise awareness about the need to protect wild koalas and their eucalyptus homes. 

Koalas, often called koala bears, are not bears, but instead, they're marsupials. According to Britannica, "Marsupials are mammals characterized by giving birth to premature young, which typically complete development in a pouch attached to the mother's body. They are most common in Australia and the Americas. Examples include koalas, kangaroos, wombats, opossums, wallabies, and Tasmanian Devils."

Check out these interesting facts about koalas:

(1) Koalas have fingerprints that are individual and similar to humans. They are the only animals other than primates that have fingerprints.

(2) Although their vision is poor, koalas rely on their keen sense of smell to find food and mates.

(3) Koalas eat hundreds of species of eucalyptus (gum-trees), and they get most of their water from the leaves. A single koala can eat the leaves of up to 1,000 eucalyptus trees every year, a powerful reminder of how essential continuous replanting is to meet their needs.

(4) A male koala's life expectancy is around 14 years. Female koalas outlive males by 5 to 10 years.

(5) When it comes to koala breeding, the females choose their mates. Female koalas are "cougars," they usually mate with younger males.

(6) Major threats to koalas are climate change; habitat destruction; mines and their infrastructure; and dogs and vehicles.

And now, let's pivot to marketing and check out some famous brands featuring koalas in their logos and brand storytelling:

KOALA AIRLINES

Set to launch toward the end of 2026 in Australia, Koala Airlines aims for 20 aircraft within the first few years and will focus on tourists and leisure travelers along the "Golden Triangle" of Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane.

TIFFANY & CO.

According to Vogue, "Since its founding in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has championed artistry steeped in reverence for the natural world. Owing a debt for both the inspiration and materials that give form to their iconic designs, the brand formalized their love for Mother Earth in 2017 by launching their Save The Wild collection in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Network, or WCN. The network's mission is to protect endangered species by investing in initiatives to support wildlife and ecosystems on the brink. All of the proceeds from the Save The Wild collection go directly to the WCN, and to date, Tiffany & Co. has proudly donated over $10 million in support of their efforts."

Tiffany & Co. expanded its Save the Wild collection with the announcement of the Koala Brooch, an Australia-exclusive design to raise much needed funds for rapid response initiatives and habitat restoration.

COLORFULKOALA

This brand features a creative logo that looks like two koalas hanging on a tree. Founded in 2018, Colorfulkoala began with the vision to provide down-to-earth athleisure wear to every corner of the world. To date, they've sold 20,000,000+ pairs of leggings all over the world.

KOALA

Koala is an Australian furniture brand. According to the brand's website, "Our product design process starts with the problem and customer pain point. With our customer's perspective at the forefront, we brainstorm innovative ways to combine functionality and elegance. With an average of 1.5 years devoted to the design and development of each product, we ensure it's flawless when it reaches the customer's home."

NUII ICE CREAM

Here's the ice cream brand's inspiring mission, "With Nuii, every adventure begins in an extraordinary place! Australia holds a special place in our story: it's where our very first creation was born, the Australian Salted Caramel & Macadamia. This wild and fascinating land has inspired us from the beginning and reminds us how precious nature truly is. That's why Nuii is committed to protecting Australia's biodiversity, and especially the koalas, a fragile symbol of this unique ecosystem. Preserving their habitat means preserving the possibility of experiencing exceptional adventures for years to come, in the place where it all started for us. Nuii is not just about indulgent, generous ice creams: it’s also about protecting the places that make our adventures possible."

KOALAFORNIA

And lastly, let's not forget when the largest group of koalas outside of Australia arrived at the San Diego Zoo in California back in 2013. The marketing campaign was extremely memorable, "Greetings from KOALAFORNIA, the Australian Outback at the San Diego Zoo."

How can YOU help save koalas? Protect a forest, plant a tree, or call/text/email politicians to share your concerns about koalas and their disappearing wild habitats.

Which other brands feature koalas in their logos or promote koala conservation? Chime in and share.

SHARE THIS: The word "koala" originates from an Australian Aboriginal language, Dharug, which translates to "no drink" or "no water." Koalas rarely drink water because the majority of their water intake comes from eating eucalyptus leaves. #InternationalWildKoalaDay #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credits: Goway.com, Tiffany & Co., Colorfulkoala, Koala Airlines, and the San Diego Zoo.

Watch an ad for Koala Airlines featuring a koala consultant:

https://youtu.be/Bw5xsD_vn3U

Watch an ad for Koalafornia at the San Diego Zoo:

https://youtu.be/yANPF7NvWvk?si=3ynM6s1Y92k_xrib

Learn more about saving koalas and their habitats:

https://savethekoala.com/our-work/koala-habitat-atlas/

Which Brands Feature Penguins in Their Logos?

Today is World Penguin Day, so, do you know any brands that feature penguins in their logos?

First, a little history. According to World Animal Protection, "World Penguin Day (also known as Penguin Awareness Day) is held on April 25th every year. It's an opportunity to celebrate penguins and their beauty, diversity, and intelligence. It's also a chance to highlight how important penguins are to our ecosystems, learn about the threats they face from climate change and the fishing industry, and discover how conservationists are protecting them."

And according to Dr. David Schutt, Founder of Penguins International, "Embracing penguin conservation is not just preserving one species, it's safeguarding an integral thread in the tapestry of life that holds together Earth's delicate ecosystems."

Check out these fun facts about penguins:

(1) Penguins cannot fly but they're incredible swimmers. They can reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour in the water. Their wings are adapted for swimming, and they spend much of their lives in the ocean.

(2) Penguin lifespan varies from species to species. Large emperor penguins can live up to 20 years, while smaller penguins may only live for around 6 years.

(3) There are 18 different species of penguins. The emperor penguin is the largest, and the little penguin (known as the fairy penguin or the blue penguin) is the smallest.

(4) Penguins are excellent parents. In many species, both male and female penguins take turns incubating the eggs and feeding their chicks.

(5) The penguin's distinctive coloring—black body with white belly—helps camouflage it in the water as it searches for meals of small shrimp, fish, crabs, and squid.

And now, let's return to marketing and some famous brands featuring penguins:

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

The National Hockey League team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, features a penguin in its logo. According to Wikipedia, "A contest was held where 700 of 26,000 entries picked "Penguins" as the team's nickname, sharing its nickname with the athletic department of the newly-named Youngstown State University in nearby Youngstown, Ohio. A logo was chosen that had a penguin in front of a triangle, which symbolized the "Golden Triangle" of downtown Pittsburgh, underscoring the team's connection to its hometown." The logo's penguin is shown gripping a hockey stick in gloves, ready for a shot and decisive action. 

PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE

The legendary British publisher Penguin Books selected the penguin as its symbol. Creative Bloq explained, "Co-Founder Allen Lane had already decided that he wanted an animal logo for his revolutionary new publishing house, which would make inexpensive but high-quality paperbacks available to the mass market. It was 1935, and according to company legend, Lane's secretary suggested a "penguin" as a "dignified, but flippant" name for the new company. Edward Young, a 21-year-old office junior, was immediately dispatched to the London Zoo to sketch the bird in every possible pose for the rest of the day." Several iterations followed over the years, and today, the black-and-white penguin on a bright orange background symbolizes intellectual freedom, accessibility, and openness to knowledge.

And in March 2026, Fast Company reported, "The brand just unveiled a delightful series of hand-drawn illustrations as a brand refresh, named the "Playful Penguins," which show the penguin jumping, strutting, dancing, and doing a whole lot of reading. The illustrations will show up everywhere across the Penguin Random House's global markets, from seasonal campaigns to social initiatives and point-of-sale displays. They're designed to bring some added joy and movement to the brand as it approaches its centennial (in 2035)."

LINUX

Tux the penguin has become iconic among Linux fans in the tech world. Created in 1996 by programmer Linus Torvalds, Tux appears good-natured. It's believed that Torvald chose the penguin after being bitten by one of the cute yet feisty residents of the Southern Hemisphere during a trip to Australia.

Which other famous brands can you name that feature penguins in their logos? Chime in and share.

Image Credits: Pittsburgh Penguins, Penguin Random House, and Linux - and images in bookstore with new dancing penguins courtesy of Penguin Random House.

Learn more about penguins from the World Wildlife Fund:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/penguin/

Today is Save the Elephant Day!

Today is Save the Elephant Day. The purpose is to draw attention to the threats facing elephants including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Established by the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation in Thailand in 2012, Save the Elephant Day is observed annually on April 16th.

Elephants are the largest land animals and are spread across Africa and Asia. Recent studies estimate that there are approximately 400,000 elephants across the African continent, and although the situation differs from country to country, the giant mammals are in decline. Human activities such as poaching for ivory remain a significant reason. However, in 1989, Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) banned most international commercial ivory trade marking a turning point in coordinated elephant protection; and in 2018, China, the world's largest ivory market, banned all ivory sales.

Check out these interesting facts about elephants:

(1) Species are distinguished by their ears. The ears of African elephants are much larger than Asian elephants.

(2) An elephant calf can stand within 20 minutes of being born and is able to walk within 1 hour.

(3) Elephants display a range of emotions such as joy, anger, and grief and live in complex social structures – matriarchal herds for the female cows and calves and a solitary lifestyle or bachelor herds for the male bulls.

(4) Elephants' impressive trunks provide them with an excellent sense of smell, a handy snorkel when swimming, and even a delicate nutcracker.

(5) Elephants throw dust or mud on themselves to protect their skin from sunburn and insect bites. It’s their natural sunscreen and bug repellent!

(6) Drones (or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) have become increasingly important for wildlife research. With their buzzing propellers, which can sound like a swarm of bees, drones have been used to chase elephants from African farms. But when flown in a way designed to minimise disturbance, elephants learn to ignore them.

According to Days of the Year, "Research has shown that elephants can recognize themselves in mirrors, remember the locations of water sources for many years, and distinguish between different human languages, suggesting a level of cognition comparable in some respects to great apes."

And now, let's pivot to marketing and check out some famous brands featuring elephants in their logos and brand storytelling:

EVERNOTE

According to Instagram, the brand's tagline is "Remember everything. Accomplish anything," and as a mobile note-taking app, it definitely delivers. The logo also features an elephant, an animal known for remembering. According to Scientific American, "Elephants possess remarkable, long-term, and spatial memory essential for survival, enabling them to recognize individuals, locate water sources over decades, and mourn the dead. Their highly developed brains, specifically the hippocampus, support complex social structures and navigation, allowing matriarchs to remember distant resources during droughts."

ANIMAL PLANET

According to Wikipedia, "On October 15, 2018, Animal Planet unveiled a new logo, featuring a symbol of a jumping elephant resembling the original logo. The new branding symbolized a new mission of keeping the childhood joy and wonder of animals alive by bringing people up close in every way."

THAI TASTE

In 2018, Thai Taste launched a redesign of its logo and features the subtle shape of the head of an elephant, the official animal of Thailand. The logo also changed from yellow gold to a vibrant pink, a color that has been associated with the brand since its launch in the late 1990s, to reflect all the vibrancy of Thailand and its culture.

SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

According to its website, "The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust embraces all measures that complement the conservation, preservation, and protection of wildlife and habitats. Working across Kenya, our projects include anti-poaching, safe guarding the natural environment, enhancing community awareness, addressing animal welfare issues, providing veterinary assistance to animals in need, rescuing and hand rearing elephant and rhino orphans, along with other species that can ultimately enjoy a quality of life in wild terms when grown. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a global leader in elephant conservation and one of Africa's most respected wildlife charities. Founded in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick, the charity was created to build upon the conservation vision of her late husband, David Sheldrick, the founding warden of Tsavo East National Park, Kenya's oldest and largest national park. We are best known for our pioneering Orphans' Project, a first-of-its-kind program to rescue, raise, and rewild orphaned elephants and rhinos."

ELLA+MILA

According to its website, "Quickly becoming one of the most sought-after nail polishes, this line of lacquer was born from the simple idea of creating an eco-friendly yet high-end product. Initially inspired by the twin daughters (darlingly named Ella and Mila) of one of the founders, the luxury brand took sail. ella+mila releases a new collection of lacquer every couple of months, promising on-trend high-fashion shades and prompting many "FINALLY! The color I've been looking for!" As of June 2017, ella+mila has dipped their feet into the color cosmetics world and launched 10 liquid lipsticks. All the liquid lipsticks are enriched with Vitamin E and have a refreshing mint scent to ensure your lips are moisturized and smelling fresh throughout the day. With a passion for color and dedication to healthy beauty, the founders strive to provide fashion-forward beauty products without compromise. Like their nail lacquer, the newly-launched line of lippies are also vegan, cruelty-free, and proudly made in the USA.  The deeply-admired luxury beauty brand continues to allure the world with its creamy formula and dazzling array of colors."

The elephant logo symbolizes love, family, and memory, reflecting the brand's origins as a family-focused, cruelty-free company created by Narineh Bedrossian for use when she was pregnant with her twin daughters, Ella and Mila. The playful image of an elephant on all of the brand's products represents the brand's gentle, safe, and vegan nature. Elephants are recognized for their deep family bonds, love, and loyalty, aligning with the brand's "Mommy & Me" focus.

HORTON HEARS A WHO!

Over the years, children have been introduced to elephants while reading the classic story, "Horton Hears a Who!," which was written and illustrated by Theodor Seuss Geisel under the pen name Dr. Seuss. Published by Random House in 1954, the book tells the story of Horton the Elephant and his adventures saving Whoville, a tiny planet located on a speck of dust, from the animals who mock him. These animals attempt to steal and burn the speck of dust, so Horton goes to great lengths to save Whoville from being incinerated. 

"A person's a person, no matter how small" is the most popular line from Horton Hears a Who!. According to Wikipedia, "Horton endures harassment to care for and ensure the safety of the Whos, who represent the insignificant. Unlike some of Dr. Seuss' books, Horton contains a strong moral message, which has been identified as "universal, multinational, multi-ethnic. In a word: Equality." Horton Hears a Who! has been well received in libraries, schools, and homes across the world. The book has been adapted as a 1970 television special and a 2008 animated film by Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox Animation, and much of its plot was incorporated into the Broadway musical production Seussical."

BABAR THE ELEPHANT

One of the most memorable books from my childhood featured a family of elephants from Paris, France. The father was Babar, who was a fashionable dresser in his three-piece green suit, red bow tie, and either a black hat or crown. According to Mental Floss, "For some, more than an ambassador from an elephant kingdom, Babar shows the world what it means to be French—which includes exercising every morning before your croissant. General Charles de Gaulle famously loved the elephant because he gave the world “a certain idea of France,” and former cultural minister Frédéric Mitterrand bestowed a medal of arts and letters upon Laurent (the son of the original author)."

Which other famous brands either feature elephants in their logos or promote elephant conservation? Chime in and share.

Image Credits: Wikipedia (Horton Hears a Who!), Animal Planet, Bol.com (Babar), Thai Taste, and Evernote.

Learn how to foster future generations of elephants, rescue orphaned wildlife, protect Kenya's habitats, and support coexistence:

https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

Let's Celebrate National Dolphin Day!

Today is National Dolphin Day, started by Earth Island Institute in 1990 after its successful push for dolphin-safe tuna labels. It's a day to celebrate the charismatic sea creatures loved for their playfulness and agility - and to also raise awareness for the conservation and protection of dolphins from threats including captivity and hunting. According to PunchBowl, "They are social, intelligent, and captivating to watch as they leap through the water. Dolphins are mammals, just like us, and they are also in the same family as whales."

Here are some ways to celebrate:

(1) Clean up a beach.

(2) Watch what you eat - choose dolphin-safe labeled seafood.

(3) Visit aquariums to learn more about dolphins.

(4) Use less plastic - marine plastic harms coastal dolphins when they eat it.

(5) Donate to nonprofit organizations that support ocean life.

Check out these interesting facts about dolphins:

(1) The most common species is the Bottlenose dolphin, but there are 40 other dolphin species.

(2) Because dolphins are social animals, they travel in pods of 5 to 700. 

(3) Dolphins sometimes naturally develop a form of Type II diabetes.

(4) When sleeping, dolphins keep one eye open to breathe and watch for predators, allowing them to remain conscious while resting.

(5) Killer whales are actually dolphins.

And now, let's pivot to marketing and check out some brands featuring dolphins in their logos and brand storytelling:

MIAMI DOLPHINS

According to Wikipedia, "A professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area, the Miami Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team plays its home games at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a northern suburb of Miami. The Dolphins are the oldest professional sports team in Florida."

ALL EVERYTHING DOLPHIN

According to the brand's website, "All Everything Dolphin was born in 2019 in sunny Sydney, Australia, because what better place to start a dolphin-loving brand than by the ocean? Our love for the sea (and the playful dolphins that call it home) had us thinking...Why not create apparel that captures their joy, energy, and, of course, their porpoise in life? With that, our signature cartoon dolphin designs, sprinkled with a generous dose of cheeky puns, came to life. The response? Flippin’ amazing! As more dol-fans joined the pod, we expanded the collection, creating even more designs to celebrate these incredible creatures. And because no ocean is complete without a few other marine mates, we made room for some new sea friends along the way."

DOLFIN

According to the brand's website, "In 1941, the company was founded in Shillington, Pennsylvania as Reading Airchutes, Inc. to manufacture cargo parachutes for the U.S. Air Force and was one of their main suppliers of cargo and bomb parachutes throughout World War II. In 1945, the company reorganized at the conclusion of World War II as Jean Vernon, Inc. which became a manufacturer of silk and nylon lingerie. In 1958, due to the company's expertise in the lingerie business and work with nylon and nylon blended fabrics, the company designed and launched a line of nylon racing suits for the competitive swim market under the trade name "Dolfin." In 1962, Jean Vernon introduced a line of lightweight track uniforms. From 1962-1968, Dolfin's rapidly expanding competitive swimwear and track wear resulted in a de-emphasizing of the Jean Vernon lingerie business. In 1969, the company changed its name to Dolfin Corporation and discontinued the Jean Vernon line of lingerie to focus on the swimwear and trackwear lines. Between 1970-1977, the majority of Dolfin's business remained in the competitive swim market, however the line of track uniforms became a leader in this limited market. And in 2016, Dolfin athletes posted a 2016 Olympic gold medal and multiple Paralympic gold medals and World Records."

DOLPHIN WORLD

According to the brand's website, "Dolphin World was started in 1995 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The company was started with the premise to provide the finest Dolphin Swim program with opportunities throughout Florida in Orlando, Miami, and the Florida Keys."

Did you ever swim with dolphins? I did many years ago in Cancun, Mexico - and it was an unforgettable experience!

What other famous brands either feature dolphins in their logos or promote dolphin conservation? Chime in and share.

SHARE THIS: In 100 years, I want whales, dolphins, and sharks to still be around, and the ocean to be a healthier place. ~Greg MacGillivray #NationalDolphinDay #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credits: Miami Dolphins, All Everything Dolphin, Dolfin Swimwear, and Dolphin World.

Read about documentary creator Greg MacGillivray:

https://variety.com/2010/film/markets-festivals/greg-macgillivray-peak-performer-1118023293/