Conservation non-profit organisation Pangolin.Africa has launched a World Pangolin Day campaign to involve ordinary citizens around the globe in what is expected to be the biggest one-day awareness event for the African pangolin ever.
The #running4pangolins campaign aims to generate mass global awareness tomorrow (February 15) by inspiring everyone from armchair athletes to competitive runners to hit the tar, track, trail or treadmill in support of pangolin conservation.
No fixed route or distance has been designated, so as to make participation in #running4pangolins accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Runners will receive a campaign bib on signing up, which will visibly identify them on the day as supporters of the pangolin awareness initiative, and participants may then choose to complete their local Saturday parkrun, to do a social run with friends or just run solo.
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While some participants may choose to raise money through sponsorship from friends and family to help fund Pangolin.Africa’s conservation projects, the organisers stress that this not a prerequisite for taking part in the event.
Says Toby Jermyn, director of Pangolin.Africa:
“Whether you run marathons, fun runs or just run for the bus, here’s the chance to do something really amazing for the most trafficked wildlife species on earth, and show your support for the future of this extraordinary animal, by simply becoming a ‘running pangolin billboard’ on the day.”
In a space of seven months, from August 2018 to February 2019, the Benoni Flying Squad officers rescued three pangolins.
• February 23, 2019: A pangolin was recovered on the R21 South, around Engen 1-Stop. Four suspects were arrested.
• October 23, 2018: Another was recovered at Oakmore Railway Station, and four suspects were arrested.
• August 5: One pangolin was recovered at Irene Mall where one suspect was arrested.
For more information, and to get involved, visit www.pangolin.africa/running4pangolins.
