December 14, 2017

Let’s Run for Sharks and Orangutans in Sarawak

Come December 17, you can do something for the wild in Sarawak . . . in a hurry. The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Run for the Wild event this year will kick off on Sunday at the Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, in Kuching.

First launched in 2015, Run for the Wild has been seeking to raise awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation in the Bornean state with a special focus on orangutan and shark conservation. The event will offer participants a choice of three categories: a 10km run, a 5km run and a 1.5km walk.

A participant at a Run For the Wild event declares his support for endangered orangutans. Photo Credit: Wildlife Conservation Society

In return for a RM50 fee, participants will receive an exclusive cotton T-shirt, the better to declare their colors openly in support of wildlife conservation. The proceeds will go towards orangutan and shark conservation projects undertaken by the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Malaysia Program. Participants can also learn about the status of orangutans and sharks and about ongoing efforts to protect these endangered animals.

“Runners are encouraged to bring their own water bottles; dispensers will be provided at different locations along the routes so as to reduce the use of disposable plastic water bottles,” the organizers explain. “This year the organisers are inviting all wildlife and nature lovers to come together to show their love for wildlife, in support of the conservation of orangutans and sharks in Sarawak.”

If you can’t be there in person, you can run virtually from anywhere in the world. Just go to the event’s registration page and sign up for the Virtual Runner category. “Virtual runners may snap their photos and screen-shot their runner’s log and send them to aaini@wcs.org to be featured in WCS Malaysia’s Facebook page,” the event’s organizers say.

“There is no registration fee, but once you have sent verification of your run or walk, you may contribute RM30 to receive a Run for the Wild t-shirt (subject to availability),” they add. “A postal charge of RM10 must be included for those in Malaysia, but postal charges for Virtual Runners overseas will be calculated and informed via email. You may contribute more than the required amount as a contribution to the conservation of Sarawak’s wildlife and their habitats.”

So let’s put on our running shoes and get ready to run for orangutans and sharks in Sarawak.

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