March 12 – The mascot for the 2014 World Cup will be a three-banded armadillo, according to reports in Brazil.
The armadillo, in Brazil known as a “tatu-bola”, is native mainly to the states of Bahia, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Paraíba, Piauí and Rio Grande do Norte, and near the World Cup host cities of Natal and Recife.
Reports that the armadillo would be the World Cup mascot emerged in Brazilian newspaper Veja, though an official announcement will be made via FIFA in October.
To defend itself, the armadillo can roll itself up into a ball when threatened, which would be a fitting symbol for the quadrennial sports event.
The Non-Governmental Organisation Associação Caatinga Ceará (ACC) created the mascot and had been pushing for its selection.
Because the armadillo is threatened with extinction the campaign behind its selection as a mascot hopes that it will also leave a ‘green legacy’ from the World Cup.
The campaign by the ACC says that the armadillo is “unique to Brazil” and that its selection “could brighten the cup, showing the world our rich nature and our commitment to biodiversity, as well as sensitise the people of Brazil for the defence and protection of our nature”.
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