Blobfish wins world’s ugliest animal contest (VIDEO)
The blobfish, which looks like — as its name suggests — a gelatinous blob, has won the title of world’s ugliest animal, and is now the official mascot of the Ugly Animal Preservation Society.
The blobfish, which looks like — as its name suggests — a gelatinous blob, has won the title of world's ugliest animal, and is now the official mascot of the Ugly Animal Preservation Society.
The winning animal, described by The Guardian as "a marine Jabba the Hut," received 795 of 3,000 online votes and was announced at the British Science Festival in Newcastle.
The society that started the unofficial competition began as a science-themed comedy night and decided to choose its new mascot in order to raise awareness of "aesthetically challenged" endangered species.
"We’ve needed an ugly face for endangered animals for a long time, and I've been amazed by the public's reaction," said Simon Watt, the society's president. "For too long the cute and fluffy animals have taken the limelight but now the blobfish will be a voice for the mingers who always get forgotten."
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Each of the 11 nominated animals was supported by a different comedian, who then created a campaign video for his or her chosen species. Paul Foot, of Never Mind the Buzzcocks, supported the blobfish.
"Some would describe it as a bit ugly, but I think the sad face of the blobfish belies a kind and very wise little brain in there," said Foot.
The blobfish lives off the coast of southeastern Australia and Tasmania, and is endangered because of fishing trawlers that accidentally capture it in their nets.
Other species shortlisted for the ugliest animal award were the kakapo, the world's only flightless parrot, the Titicaca "scrotum" water frog, and the proboscis monkey, known for its rather large nose.