11.14.2006 - 02:22pm ET

(CSRwire) Boston, MA -- During the first month of sales for Oxfam America Unwrapped, an online alternative gift catalog, consumers were more interested in the idea of giving a crocodile than the cow or a camel. Visitors to the website, www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com viewed the crocodile 14% more than the cow, which was the next most-viewed item.

The online catalog, designed as a unique way to give a symbolic gift while also supporting Oxfam America's global aid and development programs, offers three dozen gifts that support people in various ways. Despite the crocodile's page-view popularity, the most purchased item to date is the "Plant 50 Trees" gift - although viewed 36% less than the crocodile - whereby the gift buyer symbolically plants 50 trees in someone's name. Planting trees are an integral part of Oxfam's programs, and in many locales, the crops yielded from the trees are a community's primary source of income.

"We expected the conventionally cuter animals would appeal to gift buyers," said Stephanie Kurzina, Oxfam America's vice president of fundraising. "But in our first month online, the crocodile is far ahead of other items in terms of page views. As we get deeper into the holiday season, whether they're interested in cows or crocodiles, we hope people will continue to click through Oxfam America Unwrapped."

All gifts through Oxfam America Unwrapped are tax deductible. Oxfam America works in 26 countries around the world and a gift from this catalog symbolically represents its work. The purchase of an Oxfam America Unwrapped gift is a contribution toward the organization's many programs, not a donation to a specific project or goal.

Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization working to end poverty, hunger and injustice. For more information, visit www.oxfamamerica.org.

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