I like to think that I've done my bit for babirusa promotion. Hopefully you agree. And babirusas could do with lots of promotion - not only are they fascinating and bizarre, they're globally endangered and in real need of protection (if you want to know more, check out Babirusa.org).
I'm pleased to announce that my babirusa articles here at Tet Zoo have not only inspired an endearing cartoon, but something equally fantastic and captivating... a knitted babirusa!
Sasha Kopf - or Tapir Girl, if you prefer - mostly knits tapirs (as you can see from her collection of photos here). She's produced versions of all.... currently recognised.... extant tapir species. Wow. Already I'm impressed (and wondering how I can get one: preferably a Malayan :) ). But - oh my god - she was inspired enough by Tet Zoo to produce a babirusa! Thank you Sasha, babirusas worldwide are in your debt.
For previous babirusa articles see...
- The deer-pig, the Raksasa, the only living anthracothere... welcome to the world of babirusas
- Are anthracotheres alive and well and living on Sulawesi? No, but it was a nice idea. Babirusas, part II
- What's with the bizarre curving tusks? Babirusas, part III
- When babirusas fight (babirusas, part IV)
- This little piggy went ploughing (babirusas, part V)
- The many babirusa species (babirusas, part VI)
- Laissez-faire lumping under fire? (babirusas, part VII)
- Babirusas can get impaled by their own teeth: that most sought-after of objects does exist! (babirusas, part VIII)
- The author caricatured. His trusty steed: a babirusa!
Coming next: cuckoo-rollers!
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HA thats brilliant!
So cute! I want one :)
Awesome knitting!
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/creepy-crochetdermy/20414
Astounding!
That's so cute!
I wonder what the tusks are made of. That's really first-rate work!
Hi - I'm the Tapir Girl who made the babirusa. I'm glad you like it! The tusks are cut from a plastic yogurt container - there's nothing like genuine plastic yogurt container ivory!
I've finally set up a little shop on Etsy, so if you're interested in having a babirusa or a tapir of your very own, that's the place to go. http://tinyurl.com/ybghgdh Part of the proceeds from the sales of tapirs will go to tapir research and preservation efforts, and I'd love to do the same for the babirusas, if anyone has ideas of where the funds would best be directed.
Great work Tapir Girl!
This may be a happily growing trend. A friend of mine also knits animals; red river hogs, tapirs, okapis, whales, vicunas ...you name it! Don't know whether you can access this link, but you can see them here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=562151419&aid=2148&s=0&hash=d95a03…
Cheers!
Adorable! I want to knit one too.
Now, waiting for the world's first knitted anteater!
TapirGirl and friends: I know knitters on Ravelry.com who would be VERY interested in purchasing patterns (hint ;). Totally lovable!
check out www.tapirback.com too. They have all sorts of stuff on there.