World Wildlife Fund

Washington, DC - Ty Inc. (Ty) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are proud to announce an innovative and exciting partnership to help save endangered species through an exclusive on-line Beanie Babies® limited edition collection. Beginning this year, Ty will offer a series of WWF co-branded Beanie Babies on-line, with a percentage of sales benefiting WWF's conservation work around the world.

Launching the WWF limited edition collector's series will be a giant panda named Li Mei. Beginning July 5, Li Mei will be available online at www.Ty.com/wwf. By purchasing the WWF Beanie Babies, consumers will be helping WWF to save the giant panda as well as other endangered animals. For each WWF Beanie Baby® sold, Ty will donate 6% of the purchase price to WWF.

"We are proud to be a partner with World Wildlife Fund in helping to save endangered animals around the world," said Richard Jeffrey, Chief Financial Officer for Ty Inc, "and these Beanie Babies give everyone a chance to make a difference."

This is the first time that Ty has partnered with an environmental organization. Available for five dollars, Li Mei will come with a collector's hang tag featuring WWF's panda logo and educational information on the giant panda.

"We are excited about this partnership, which is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to children and adults alike to teach them about one of the world's most popular, but endangered species," said WWF President Kathryn Fuller. "We look forward to a long-term alliance with Ty, helping WWF build awareness and funds for our conservation work."

Found only in China, the giant panda clings to survival, facing habitat fragmentation and poaching as its greatest threats. In a recent survey, it was estimated that as few as 1,600 pandas remain in the wild today. WWF works to help giant pandas in the wild through a variety of programs, including scientific assessments, habitat conservation and outreach to local governments and people within the panda's home range.

Notes to Editors:
Known worldwide by its panda logo, WWF leads international efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats. Now in its fifth decade, WWF works in more than 100 countries around the globe to conserve the diversity of life on earth. With nearly 1.2 million members in the U.S. WWF is the world's largest privately financed conservation organization.

Founded in 1986 by Ty Warner, creator of the wildly popular Beanie Babies®, Ty is the leader in plush toys. In addition to Beanie Babies®, the company's product line includes: Teenie Beanie Boppers®, Beanie Boppers®, Punkies®, Pluffies®, Ty Classic® and Beanie Buddies®. The red Ty Heart Logo®, recognized around the world, can be found on all Ty products available at finer specialty gift retailers.

Read about WWF's Partners in Conservation program

http://www.worldwildlife.org/involved/partners/index.cfm

http://www.worldwildlife.org/involved/partners/index.cfm