ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The Center for Biological Diversity will give away hundreds of free Endangered Species Condoms at the University of New Mexico on Valentine’s Day to help students understand population pressure’s threat to wildlife and the planet.

The condoms will be distributed by the UNM Leaders for Environmental Action and Foresight (LEAF), a coalition of students, faculty, staff and alumni who recognize the urgent need to defend communities from the devastation of climate change.

“We’re in the planet’s sixth mass extinction. Animals and plants are disappearing at the fastest rate since the dinosaurs,” said Malia Becker, population and sustainability organizer at the Center for Biological Diversity. “That’s concerning for wildlife and humans alike. Endangered species condoms are a great icebreaker to start conversations about how endless growth and overconsumption endanger life on Earth.”

The colorful condom packages include species threatened by human population pressure and slogans like “Wrap with care, save the polar bear” and “When you’re feeling tender, think about the hellbender.”

In the past 50 years, as the human population has more than doubled, wildlife populations have fallen by more than two-thirds. In late 2022 the global population reached 8 billion. The United Nations predicts that it will continue to grow to 8.5 billion by 2030 and 9.7 billion by 2050. The United States is the world’s third-most populous country.

“By empowering people to make choices that align with their values and aspirations we help to build more sustainable and resilient communities,” said Feleecia Guillen of UNM LEAF. “When we advocate for reproductive justice, we’re also advocating for a world where every person can thrive in harmony with our planet.”

Endangered Species Condoms feature nine different endangered species and information about the pressure that human population growth puts on polar bears, monarch butterflies and other imperiled wildlife. The Center has given away more than 1 million free Endangered Species Condoms since 2009.

The Center’s Population and Sustainability program uses creative media to promote a range of commonsense solutions like access to family planning and reproductive health services, as well as education, opportunity and equal rights for women and girls.