Over 2,200 runners and volunteers from 24 countries participated in the 5th annual Run for the Wild event organised to support the conservation of orang-utans, sharks and rays.
More than 500 gathered at Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus for the official launch of the event organised by the Wildlife Conservation Society Malaysia Program (WCS Malaysia) in partnership with Swinburne and Sarawak Biodiversity Centre.
Runners at the start of the 10 km run.
Also part of the running event was over 70 volunteers from the Swinburne Sarawak Green Club and other students who were eager to spread awareness of the need to conserve orang-utans, sharks and rays.
Swinburne’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Professor John Wilson flagged off the 10km run and also took part in the 5km run. According to Professor Wilson, it was heartening to know that the Run for the Wild helps to get the message out there in the public.
“At Swinburne, we’re doing our best to spread awareness among staff and students. We hope that more and more individuals will learn about the importance of conserving our wildlife, and will do their bit, however big or small,” he said.
Speaking to a crowd of runners, volunteers and members of the public who came to support various environmental activities at Swinburne’s multi-purpose hall, WCS Malaysia Director Dr Melvin Gumal urged young and old alike to consider the plight of endangered species in our country. In addition to describing efforts in the field, Dr Gumal’s presentation included graphic footage of injured and butchered wildlife and a video of 80 volunteers involved in beach cleaning in Lundu.
Zumba with the shark!
Participants and members of the public enjoyed other activities such as a Zumba session run by Swinburne’s Jenny Lee and volunteers from the Swinburne Dance Club, getting henna tattoos and having photographs taken with plush orang-utan and shark toys against a backdrop of a hammerhead shark made from trash picked up from beaches.
Children posing in front of the hammerhead shark made from trash collected from different beaches.
On top of that, there were display of sculptures made from litter and trash as well as a colouring competition for young children to help spread awareness of wildlife and environmental issues among our society.
Although the actual Run for the Wild in Kuching has already taken place, individuals who would still like to contribute to the conservation of orang-utans, sharks and rays can do so by registering for the Virtual Run at http://www.runforthewildmalaysia.com/register/online_registration.php and run or walk at their own convenience before the end of December.
So far, 1,565 individuals from 24 countries worldwide have taken part in the virtual run to raise awareness in their own countries and to show their support for the conservation efforts of WCS Malaysia for the endangered species. Their photographs and track logs can be seen on the WCS Malaysia Facebook page.
Run for the Wild is supported by Sarawak Energy, Hilton Kuching, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Orangutan Project, Borneo Adventure, iPrint, Neudimenxion, Permai Rainforest Resort, John’s Pie, Raw Kitchen and Sarawak Society for the Deaf, to name a few.