Join the conservation effort through Run & Bleed for the Wild

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KUCHING: The public are invited to take part in the Run & Bleed for the Wild 2016 running event in aid of the conservation of orangutans and sharks on Dec 10.

Organisers Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-Malaysia Programme, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak campus and Sarawak Biod iversity Centre (SBC) hope to attract at least 500 participants to surpass the inaugural Run & Bleed for the Wild in 2015.

“Run and Bleed for the Wild is a great opportunity to show our concern for protecting Sarawak’s natural heritage. The previous Ride for the Wild was a success and hopefully this event will attract even more people to demonstrate their concern for conservation,” said Robert Basiuk, managing director of Borneo Adventure.

“The organisers have invited special needs individuals to participate in this run in recognition of the success of our Paralympians.”

Ernest Ting Hin Kiong, a representative from the Sarawak Society for the Deaf, has pledged to run in the event.

He said: “Conservation is not exclusive to the able-bodied but is open to everyone.”

Registration fees for special needs individuals are being waived with verification from recognised special needs organisations.

An added twist to this run is that virtual runners will also be participating, with a group of runners pledging to run a 5km or 10km route in their own towns and cities.

“The virtual runners who have completed their registration will take a track log of their run and submit it to us to receive an event t-shirt,” explained Dr Melvin Gumal, director of the WCS-Malaysia Programme.

“We hope that more virtual runners from other parts of the country and other countries will join us in spreading awareness of the conservation effort.”

This year’s event comprises three categories for people of varying ages and walks of life: the 2km fun walk, 5km run and 10km run.

Children are welcome to participate in the 2km Fun Walk if accompanied by an adult, while school children who have just finished school and public examinations can de-stress by taking part in the run.

As usual the Run & Bleed for the Wild 2016 will be a green event and participants can bring their own water bottles that can be filled and re-filled at water stations located at strategic sites.

After the run, participants will be treated to a presentation on wildlife conservation by WCS Asian regional advisor Dr Madhu Rao and witness the launch of Swinburne Green Wall, a living wall of plants, for which they can contribute a plant.

The living green wall is a sustainable project by Swinburne Biotechnology and Green Clubs to promote a healthy living environment on the campus.

Healthy participants who have recovered from their walk or run may then donate blood at the JCI Swinburne Youth Chapter organised Blood Donation Drive.

As the event coincides with Swinburne University’s Open Day, participants can wrap up their visit by exploring the campus and the university’s modern facilities.

Run packs that include a cotton t-shirt will be given to participants of the event.

Interested individuals may register to participate at https://www.facebook.com/WCS.Malaysia/ or http:/www.runforthewildmalaysia.com by Nov 14.

Individuals interested in becoming virtual runners should email their interest to Abdul Najib Azhfar Aini at [email protected] or leave a message on our WCS-Malaysia Program Facebook page.

This event is organised to raise awareness and gain the support of the public for conservation efforts in Sarawak. Estimates on the remaining number of orangutans are as low as 2,000 while sharks have been driven to equally dangerously low numbers.