The tapir is a wonderful animal, but not one generally connected to video games. This little piggish animal lives in South and Central Americas, as well as Southeast Asia - and all four species are classified as either endangered or vulnerable.

Apparently, this state of affairs is enough to upset developers Splash Damage (the guys behind Enemy Territory), who are quite fond of the snortling creatures - and they're doing something about it. They're spreading the word about tapirs, and raising some money for their endangered friends, with this year's Christmas card.


Image by Laurel 'Tully' Austin / Words by Ed 'BongoBoy' Stern
(Click to enlarge)

We're Splash Damage, developers
Of Enemy Territ'ry
Multiplayer First Person Shooters
Played upon your PC.
We're working now on something new
Cross-platform, without peer
But right now all we want to do
Is spread some Christmas cheer.

Splash Damage loves the Tapirs
Unknown in Bethlehem,
But post this on your website
And we'll give some dosh to them.
They dwell in Costa Rica
And to prove we're not all talk
We'll sponsor a research project
At SaveTapirs.org

So! If you're like Splash Damage, and would like to support the good cause that is the humble tapir, then get along to Baird's Tapir Project - the money raised will then be used to research tapirs in their natural habitat, helping to preserve them and their surroundings.

By simply reading this, you've already started - Splash Damage have announced that for every website that mentions their quest (and the plight of the tapirs), they will donate £50 to Baird's Tapir Project - but they'd like you to spread the word too!

Happy Tapir, everybody!