Fund-Raising Foot Race This April
The Wildlife Conservation Society is dedicating the sixth annual “Run for the Wild” to saving elephants from the worst poaching crisis in two decades.
The Wildlife Conservation Society is dedicating the sixth annual “Run for the Wild” to saving elephants from the worst poaching crisis in two decades. Wildlife supporters, runners, and walkers are all invited to participate in the annual 5k run and family fun run at WCS’s Bronx Zoo to raise funds to support the recently
launched 96 Elephants Campaign. 96 Elephants is working to: secure moratoria on the sale of ivory; bolster protection of African elephants; and educate the public about the link between ivory consumption and the elephant poaching crisis. The sixth annual 5k-run/walk takes place on Saturday, Apr. 26.
Since its inception in 2009, 30,000 people have participated and $3.5m has been raised through donations, registration and sponsorship. Each year, WCS’s Run for the Wild is dedicated to saving a different species. Past years have supported WCS’s work to save gorillas, tigers, lions, penguins, and
elephants. Due to the magnitude of the elephant poaching crisis in Africa, this year’s Run for the Wild participants will again be making tracks for elephants. “This is the first time the WCS Run for the Wild has been dedicated to the same species two years in a row,” said John Calvelli, WCS executive vice president of public affairs and director of the 96
Elephants Campaign. “The decision to tie this year’s event to the 96 Elephants campaign was made out of necessity. The campaign is making great strides toward realization of its goal of eliminating the demand for ivory, but the work is not done and elephants are still being poached at an unprecedented rate.” The campaign has already
achieved initial success with the recent federal ivory ban enacted by the Obama Administration. This is a first step in stopping trade into the U.S. However, state moratoria are still needed to close potential loopholes not covered in the federal ban. New York State recently introduced legislation to enact a ban.
“By registering for the WCS Run for the Wild, supporting a runner or a team, or making a donation, everyone participating will be helping WCS make real progress in the fight to save these majestic animals from the slaughter they are confronted with daily,” Calvelli said.
WCS’s Run for the Wild registration is now open at www.wcsrunforthewild.org. The event is expected to sell out and participants are encouraged to signup early.
Registration for the run is $40 for adults, $30 for children ages 3-15, and $30 for seniors 65 years old and older. Participants are encouraged to seek individual sponsors for their run, and all adult (and senior) participants are required to raise a minimum of at least $30 in order to participate.
All donations will go directly to WCS elephant conservation programs. The price of registration includes parking and general admission to the Bronx Zoo following the event.
Participants can choose from two different events. The 5k run for individual runners will begin at 8 a.m.; casual runners and walkers can take part in the Family Fun Run/Walk at 8:45 a.m.
After the run, everyone is encouraged to stay and enjoy the zoo and its animal residents for the rest of the day. Everyone is encouraged to visit the Bronx Zoo’s famous Wild Asia Monorail where they can see Asian elephants, tigers, rhinos, and many other Asian species. There are many other exhibits to visit including Tiger Mountain, Madagascar!, Congo Gorilla Forest, and JungleWorld.
Prizes will be awarded to those who meet various fundraising goals.
For more information, visit www.wcsrunforthewild.org.
