According to the eco conscious global cosmetics player, ‘Bio-Bridges’ regenerate and reconnect corridors between healthy rainforest or degraded lands so isolated and endangered plant species can regenerate, and animals can safely reconnect to breed and thrive again.
The monkeys resemble a mythical Red-Shanked Douc from Vietnam that is the consumer face of the ‘Help Reggie Find Love’ initiative, giving consumers the opportunity to support the project and follow Reggie throughout his journey to find a mate with the help of the new Bio-Bridges.
‘Commitment to enrich not exploit'
Every customer transaction at The Body Shop until the end of August will restore and protect one square metre of habitat in the forest.
“We want to focus on actively enriching the world's biodiversity. These areas of forest in Vietnam are biological treasure troves that are being destroyed through poaching and illegal logging," says Christopher Davis, director of corporate responsibility.
The first project is in Khe Nuoc Trong forest of North Central Vietnam, home of rare species such as the Red Shanked Douc, Saola (known as the Asian Unicorn and one of the rarest animals on earth), Bengal Slow Loris and Burmese Python.
These species are threatened by hunting for food and medicine and illegally logged with nearby habitats still suffering from the effects of Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War.
The second Bio-Bridge project will begin in late 2016 in the Garo Hills of India and will be delivered in partnership with World Land Trust and their partner, Wildlife Trust of India.