Mastercard puts the ‘expiry’ date of critically endangered species on its gift cards

For every card purchased, a $1 donation will go to Conservation International to help protect wildlife and these species.

Mastercard, an American financial services company is putting the ‘expiry’ date of critically endangered species on its gift cards which can be used wherever Debit Mastercard is accepted. Why?

Cards expire. Species shouldn’t.

Cards expire. Species shouldn't. Help change that with the Mastercard Wildlife Impact Gift Card and start something #Priceless. #EndangeredSpeciesDay

Learn more: https://t.co/HeYT3JQ8fo. Terms and conditions apply. pic.twitter.com/vnu5igkRZ1

— Mastercard (@Mastercard) May 21, 2021

The aim is to highlight just how short the timeframe is for protecting these animals from extinction. For every card purchased, a $1 donation will go to Conservation International to help protect wildlife and the habitats of many critically endangered species.

Mastercard on its website has listed three cards and a snippet on the species displayed on them:

African Forest Elephant

These highly intelligent animals have suffered a population decline of 86% over the last 31 years due to poaching, human-wildlife conflict, deforestation and forest fragmentation as a result of logging, mining and slash and burn farming.

Black-and-White Ruffed Lemurs

Known as the world’s largest pollinators, these fruit-eaters’ population has decreased 80% in the last 20 years, the equivalent of three generations.

Sunda Pangolin

Said to be the most trafficked mammal in the world, estimates suggest that the illegal trade of pangolins has reduced their global population by up to 80% over the past 20 years.

Mastercard also said that coming this summer, these physical cards will be made of eco-friendly materials to keep expired cards from contributing to plastic pollution. In the meantime, virtual cards can be used to shop online or can be added to a mobile wallet for in-store purchases.