Run and walk for a good cause

Orang Utan, Ritchie at Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Kuching yesterday. ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / THE STAR

THE public will have a chance to help raise funds and awareness for orang utan conservation by taking part in a run or walk on Dec 12.

They may choose to sign up for a 5km or 10km run in the “Run for the wild” event, jointly organised by Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, and the Wildlife Conservation Society – Malaysia Program (WCS). It will start and end at Swinburne’s campus here.

A 2km walk is also open to the public. Those below 12 must be accompanied by a parent.

The event will be marshalled by students from the university’s running club and green club.

Dr Elizabeth Bennett, who is the Global Vice-President for Species Conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society, will give a short presentation on conservation work at the end of the run.

Bennett is the 2015 Merdeka Award recipient for her work on conservation and management of proboscis monkeys and wetland habitats in Malaysia, and endangered wildlife globally.

She conducted the first-ever detailed study of the ecology and conservation needs of the proboscis monkey in Sarawak.

WCS merchandise and T-shirts depicting images of Malaysian wildlife will be on sale during the event, which is supported by Sarawak Energy and the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre.

On the same day, a blood donation campaign organised by the Swinburne Alumni Association Malaysia will also be held on campus.

These events coincide with the Swinburne Sarawak’s Open Day, aimed to provide parents and their university-going children with information on courses available at the Australian university branch campus.

Those interested requested to register online at www.runforthewildmalaysia.com. The closing date is Dec 2.

Information is also available at facebook.com/WCS.Malaysia