Conservation run goes global, thanks to virtual runners

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Virtual Runners from all over the world are coming together to lend their support to the run on Dec 10 to raise awareness about the conservation of orangutans, sharks, rays and skates in Sarawak.

Virtual Runners from all over the world are coming together to lend their support to the run on Dec 10 to raise awareness about the conservation of orangutans, sharks, rays and skates in Sarawak.

KUCHING: What started as a solo project for a Virtual Runner for the ‘Run and Bleed for the Wild: Orang Utan and Shark Conservation’ programme is slowly blossoming to a worldwide effort as Virtual Runners from other parts of the world have signed on.

Other countries with runners registered for the Virtual Run include Australia, China, England, Indonesia, Jordan, Laos, Myanmar, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, USA and Vietnam.

For Dr Melvin Gumal–recipient of the Whitley Award for Conservation in Ape Habitats, 2014, and a substantial grant from the Whitley-Segré Conservation Fund in 2016 – the support is so welcomed.

“This is even from runners who intend to walk for 2km in possibly two feet of snow to support Sarawak’s orangutans and sharks,” he said, adding that a map will be prepared to show rural Sarawakians what orangutans mean to the global population.

“Sharks are also on their agenda as some swimmers from Indonesia expressed their desire to swim in the sea in support of the conservation of sharks, rays and skates on the approximate dates,” he said.

“Some of the Virtual Runners will be taking images of their run, in addition to sending track-logs of their events to us for verification.”

Meanwhile, runners from Brunei, Canada and Switzerland have also expressed interest while Virtual Runners from other states such as Penang and Selangor have already registered for the run.

Villarin, a Virtual Runner from Singapore said: “I’ve become a dad recently and I’ve realised the importance of letting our next generation have the chance to experience the wonders of Mother Nature. This will not happen if no effort is put into conservation. So I am running for the wild and for my child’s sake at the same time.”

The run is organised by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Malaysia, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, and partially sponsored by Sarawak Energy, among others.

Virtual Runners are those who run in their own cities around the world, either in the 2km fun walk, or 5km or 10km runs concurrently with the event in Kuching.

The date for the run which commences from Swinburne Sarawak’s campus in Kuching is Dec 10 this year. More details can be found here: http://www.runforthewildmalaysia.com/about/

Deputy vice-chancellor and chief executive officer (CEO) of Swinburne University Professor Janet Gregory said that it was exciting for Swinburne to continue to be part of Run & Bleed for the Wild, especially now that it has grown to become a truly global event through Virtual Runners taking part from all over the world.

“Wildlife and habitat conservation are important no matter where we are in the world. I hope more Virtual Runners will sign up and carry this message wherever they are, whether in Serian or Siberia!” she said.

The ‘bleed’ part of the event is just as important. The JCI Swinburne Youth Chapter is organising a blood donation drive in collaboration with the Serian Hospital.

Members of the public are encouraged to come to the Swinburne Sarawak campus at Jalan Uplands, to donate much-needed blood at any time between 9am-4.30pm on Dec 10.

On that day, participants can visit the university’s ‘Chillax’ (Open Day) course counsellors. Early birds are also encouraged to attend the launch of the Swinburne Green Wall at 9.15am and stay back to chat with Gregory before meeting with the course counsellors or donating blood for a worthy cause.

For the actual Run & Bleed for the Wild in Kuching, 12 members of the Sarawak Society for the Deaf are also taking part in the 5km run in support of conservation. A video of them supporting the event can be seen at https://twitter.com/Gumal/status/800913472405938176.

This event is organised to raise awareness and gain public support for conservation of orangutans, sharks, rays and skates in Sarawak. While registration for the actual run in Kuching has closed, individuals interested in becoming Virtual Runners can register at http://www.runforthewildmalaysia.com/registration/.

For more information about the event, please contact Abdul Najib Azhfar Aini at [email protected] or Douglas Tan at [email protected]. Alternatively, leave a message on the WCS-Malaysia Programme Facebook page.