 |
 New
Plush Lines Ape the Color and Sounds of Wildlife
By Tish
Monaco
May 1, 2003
Blue
Poison Dart Frog Hat |
Colorful
new wildlife plush toys are providing a welcome diversion from those
well-worn favorites without losing any of the cuddliness. Companies
such as Wildlife Artists and Wild Republic
are incorporating the lifelike features and sounds of real animals
into their products, infusing them with an educational value rare
to the world of huggable toys.
Dolphin
Plush |
Wildlife
Artists Show their Colors
Started in an office basement by renowned artist Gerry Ward, Wildlife
Artists’ products are family produced, marketed and shipped.
Now in its 28th year of business, the company's motto is "No
One Knows Wildlife Like Wildlife Artists."
Butterfly
Plush |
Owned
by the Ward family, who are active in conservation causes around the
world, Wildlife Artists’ new Velvet Line features
vibrant colors true to each creature’s natural state. The series
features a Knot of Snakes, an Army of Frogs, a Pod of Dolphins, a
Flight of Butterflies, and a Shiver of Sharks.
Snake
Plush |
"According
to our research, we are the first to dedicate a whole line to using
this velvet material," said Caroline Ward, Vice President of
Development and Marketing for Wildlife Artists. The intention in all
the company’s offerings, said Ward, is to "connect with
the vital awareness of the conservation of nature."
The
company also manufactures and distributes the Conservation
Collection®, Floppies® and Protectors
of the Planet®, with a retail focus on wildlife-themed
stores and zoos/aquariums. Prices for the Velvet line range from
$5 to $20.
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Writer's
Bio: Letitia Adrienne Monaco is a freelance writer and
producer based in Jupiter, Florida. Writing for national print and
television productions, her repertoire delves a range of subjects,
from travel, pets and healthcare to educational programming and
children's stories. Her independent series, Travel with Heritage,
aired nationally on the History Channel.
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