Race around the world with ZSL

Could your daily commute get you to Canada? Could the school run take you to Spain? ZSL is calling on the public to join forces and travel ‘Around the World in 30 Days’, logging daily walks, runs or cycles to raise vital money for wildlife restoration in the UK and around the world. 

Throughout the month of June, the international conservation charity is challenging animal lovers of all ages to collectively travel 40,075km - equal to the circumference of the globe - in support of the world’s wildlife.  

‘Around the World in 30 Days’ participants can simply log their regular daily exercise, or get creative and challenge themselves to a wilder form of athletics, inspired by their favourite animals. Walking 2km for hedgehogs, or cycling 10km a day for Critically Endangered Sumatran tigers - who have to roam those distances every single night to find food - will all take ZSL further around the world and towards their goal of a world where wildlife thrives.     

ZSL’s Fundraising and Engagement Director James Wren said: “From hazel dormice in England to forest elephants in Africa, species in every country are under threat and in need of our help.  

“ZSL has the expertise to bring threatened wildlife back from the very brink of extinction - this June, we’re asking the public to help us travel around the world so we can continue this vital work.”  

Fundraisers will add their efforts to a combined tracker, where every week they’ll unlock a new inspiring story, discovering how ZSL’s work makes a difference to some of the world’s most threatened species. For example, raising over £30 or more could help train a nature guide in Nepal’s National Parks, to share knowledge and support the protection of tigers and rhinos – while netting fundraisers a ZSL exercise t-shirt, as a thank you for supporting the charity’s mission. 

  James added: “I will be running and cycling throughout the month aiming to cover as many as kilometres as I can, alongside zookeepers at ZSL’s conservation zoos, London and Whipsnade, ZSL scientists and conservationists from all over the world.  

“ZSL works with communities at home in the UK and around the world to protect threatened species, restore healthy ecosystems and inspire support for nature - all driven by world-leading science. It’s only by working together that we can take strides to end wildlife extinction, so we’re asking the public to unite in June to help us take on this monumental challenge.”  

  Travel around the world for wildlife this June: visit zsl.org/AroundTheWorld to find out more, spread the word and sign up now.