Washington DC: Based on recommendations of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) President Obama has placed the Nauga on the endangered species list (ESL).
The endangered species act (ESA) was passed by Congress in 1973. The USFWS can decide to place an animal or plant on the ESL based on scientific findings or other considerations.
Naugahyde is a synthetic composite vinyl product employed to replace leather as a covering for chairs and sofas. A witty marketing campaign of the 1960s and 1970s proclaimed that Naugahyde was obtained from the skin of an animal called a Nauga. The campaign emphasized that Naugas are not slaughtered for their skin, as they shed it without harm to themselves.
PETA, the animal rights organization, was formed in 1980 and began a crusade to save the Nauga. PETA claimed that Naugas, a distant relative of the African Gnu (Wildebeest), nocturnally unseen roam the USA ranging from Connecticut to Wisconsin. PETA also claimed 10,000 Naugas had allegedly been slaughtered to cover love seats, because of their non-stainable skin.
During the 1990s while Professor Obama taught at the University of Chicago Law School, Barack and Michelle participated in many "SAVE THE NAUGA" demonstrations in downtown Chicago IL.
A fact-finding commission hearing was held by the USFWS. After listening to PETA, the manufacturer's arguments and considering the testimony of a White House staffer about the president's previous actions a decision was made to recommend placing the Nauga on the ESL.
USFWS is warning Americans that the couch and recliner chair in their dens covered with Naugahyde may be confiscated anytime. Additionally, the owner may be subject to a $10,000 per day fine for trafficking in products made from real of fictional animals listed on the ESL!
Note:
Naugahyde (trademark 1936) is an American brand of artificial leather (pleather). Naugahyde is a composite of a knit fabric backing and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic coating developed by the US Rubber Company. It is now manufactured and sold by the Uniroyal Engineered Products Division of Michelin.
