Body Shop's cool image makes point for rhinos

First Edition

THE BODY SHOP yesterday highlighted the plight of endangered animals with an ice sculpture of a black rhino, urging passers-by in London to sign a petition before it melted, writes Glenda Cooper.

The company, which has faced allegations surrounding its ethical credentials, aims to obtain 4 million signatures in Britain and 10 million worldwide. The petition calls for a clampdown on illegal trades, including the poaching of rhino horn, tiger bones and bear gall, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The black rhino, carved out of a 1.5 metre block of ice, stood outside the store in Great Marlborough Street, London. Further sculptures of bears, gorillas and tigers will be displayed in the Oxford Street and Islington stores this Saturday. Anita Roddick, the founder of the Body Shop, will present the petition to the United Nations Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) in Florida in November.

A spokeswoman denied that it was an attempt to combat bad publicity over the recent article published in Business Ethics magazine that challenged the Body Shop's green credentials. The allegations have been denied.

(Photograph omitted)