Dec 25, 2007 12:12 pm US/Pacific
Endangered Animal Ringtones Free For Cell Phones
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / BCN) ―
A wildlife conservation group is offering free cell phone ringtones with the sounds of any of 70 rare and endangered birds and animals.
The species whose chirps, croaks and roars are made available by the Center for Biological Diversity include the polar bear, blue-throated macaw, Beluga whale and Yosemite toad.
The center began the program a year ago and since then has provided 100,000 free downloads to people in 150 countries, according to center spokesman Jeff Miller.
The sounds can be downloaded from the center's endangered species ringtone Web site at http://www.rareearthtones.org. Users can also download photos, cell phone wallpapers and facts about each species.
Center conservation director Peter Galvin said, "Our endangered species ringtones have become a great way for people to personalize their cell phones and make a statement about the importance of protecting imperiled wildlife."
The center is dedicated to protecting endangered species and wild places worldwide. It is based in Tucson, Ariz., and has offices in eight other cities including San Francisco.
Miller said the two most popular ringtones since the program began
have been the killer whale and Mexican gray wolf.
Bay Area species on the list include the California red-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog and western burrowing owl.
Miller said the center plans to add new ringtones each month through 2008.
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