Your2ndPlace

They're back! Based on their previous success, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) dived into Second Life created IFAW Island.

Wandering Penguin visited - he carefully studied the elephants from a safe distance, ran off some poachers and interrogated their chickens. He also ran into a particularly hungry hippo... which he escaped from.

Very impressively done. No, I didn't do the island. They're having a party to launch the island, too. Look out for the lions.

Below is the actual press release.

International Fund for Animal Welfare Launches IFAW Island in Second Life

Live music event held in virtual African savannah to kick off grand opening of animal welfare group’s virtual space

March 13, 2008 – Yarmouthport, MA - The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) announced today the launch of its new space, IFAW Island, in the virtual world called Second Life. IFAW Island will serve as a virtual meeting ground for those interested in animal welfare issues.

Coinciding with the island’s launch, IFAW will hold a live concert on Thursday March 27th at 1:00 PM SLT featuring two popular Second Life bands: AngeyLaura Houston aka Laura Angey and the UKD Project from Italy. The concert will take place in IFAW Island’s African Savannah space. The event is open to all Second Life residents, and there is a suggested donation of $100 Linden dollars for which donors will receive a virtual IFAW T-shirt.

“IFAW is constantly seeking ways to connect with individuals through their preferred means. We are very pleased to be offering this virtual resource to our supporters and to those who may not be as familiar with the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s activities across the physical world,” said Cassandra Koenen, IFAW’s Director of Online Campaigns and Marketing.

IFAW Island offers visitors a virtual African savannah space with species information on elephant populations and background on poaching, illegal trade and migration. Additionally there is a theater presentation space for multimedia campaign updates, a skybox with photo galleries, trade maps and donation tools.

“We see IFAW Island as an important extension of our online presence and an exciting way to communicate our desire to make the real world a better place for animals and people,” stated Ms. Koenen.

Second Life Avatars can visit the space by searching “IFAW Island” in the Map tool.

For interviews and additional information please contact:

Cassandra Koenen
Director, Online Campaigns & Marketing
International Fund for Animal Welfare
ckoenen@ifaw.org

Full Disclosure: I'm involved in this.

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