Wildlife Photographer Believes That All Life Must Be Respected
For Immediate Release:
May 4, 2012
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
Richardson, Texas -- The competition to be named PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door is heating up, and 29-year-old Richardson resident Faizel Ismail just may take home the grand prize. He has beaten out hundreds of other entrants from across the U.S. to become one of 10 male contestants to advance to the final round in PETA's contest. Two lucky winners (one male and one female) will each receive a free trip to Hawaii, courtesy of the PETA Member Advantage Program.
"On average, vegetarians are slimmer and healthier than meat-eaters are—and they save more than 100 animals a year from the violence of factory farms, slaughterhouses, and fishing nets," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "One look at our radiant finalists proves that there's nothing sexier than kindness."
Ismail went vegetarian two years ago because he believes that all life should be respected. Originally from South Africa, he has worked extensively in conservation and animal protection. Ismail speaks up for animals by participating in pro-animal demonstrations (including protests against Ringling Bros' animal abuse), creating his own animal rights videos (which he shares via YouTube), and designing his own pro-animal T-shirts and selling them online (such as shirts opposing the cruel practice of killing sharks for their fins). His current goals include raising awareness about the abuse of animals in circuses, the cruelty of the Canadian seal slaughter, and the suffering of captive dolphins and orcas used for entertainment. Ismail works for an environmental organization and as a wildlife photographer. He enjoys spending time with his rescued dog, Rocky.
To see photos of Ismail and the other sexy vegetarian finalists, please click here. The voting—which can be done on PETA's website and by texting—ends on May 14, and the two winners will be announced on May 21.
For more information and to vote in the contest, please visit PETA.org or click here.
Three factors will be considered when PETA chooses the winners: the number of votes received from the public, the enthusiasm demonstrated by the entrants in living and promoting a vegetarian lifestyle, and PETA's assessment of the entrants' attractiveness.
