Blobfish named Ugly Animal Preservation Society's mascot

NEWCASTLE, England, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- The Ugly Animal Preservation Society announced at the 2013 British Science Festival that it has chosen the blobfish as its new mascot.

The British Science Association, which hosted the festival in Newcastle, England, reported the society announced Thursday online voters had chosen the blobfish as the group's new mascot following celebrity-led campaigns for their chosen ugly and endangered animals.

The society created campaign videos with celebrities including Simon Pegg and Stephen Fry speaking on behalf of their favorite prospective mascots.

The blobfish lives off the coast of southeastern Australia and Tasmania at depths of 2,000 to 4,000 feet. The Los Angeles Times reported the campaign for the unusual creature was led by British comedian Paul Foot.

"The eyes are kind, and very wise," Foot said in his campaign video. "There is a brain in there."