Newswise — BRONX, NY, April 25, 2024 — The WCS Run for the Wild at the Bronx Zoo is 8AM Saturday, April 27. More than 5,000 participants will traverse the beautiful grounds at the park which is marking its 125th anniversary.

There will be a 5K run and a 3K family run/walk. Through the past 15 years, nearly 80,000 runners and walkers have participated in this annual event which raises funds for the conservation of wildlife.

WHAT:         

16th Annual WCS Run for the Wild/Dedicated to snow leopards and other wildlife

WHERE:      

Bronx Zoo

Media Parking, Check-in at Bronx River Parking Lot

(Exit 6, Bronx River Parkway)

WHEN:         

Saturday, April 27

Media arrival and check-in: 7:30am

Event start: 8am

Who:

5,000 runners and walkers

This year’s run/walk is dedicated to snow leopards, which are classified as “Vulnerable” by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Bronx Zoo and WCS have long been a global leader in snow leopard conservation, thanks in part to funds raised during the annual WCS Run For The Wild. 

This year's run takes place as the zoo marks its 125th anniversary. The festivities also include parades, performances, crafting, scavenger hunts, tours, Wildlife Theater, and much more.

MEDIA NOTES:

  • Members of the media planning to cover the run and post event activities should contact Mary Dixon at [email protected] or 347-840-1242 so that parking and in-park transportation can be arranged.
  • Media check-in and parking will be at the Bronx River Parking Lot near the start line. This lot is accessible from Exit 6 of the Bronx River Parkway.

 

The Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo, located on 265 acres of hardwood forest in Bronx, NY, opened on Nov. 8, 1899. It is world-renowned for its leadership in the areas of animal welfare, husbandry, veterinary care, education, science and conservation. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is the flagship park of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) which manages the world’s largest network of urban wildlife parks including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo and New York Aquarium. Our curators and animal care staff work to save, propagate, and sustain populations of threatened and endangered species. We have educated and inspired more than 400 million visitors at our zoos and aquarium since our opening and host approximately 4 million guests at our parks each year – including about a half-million students annually. The Bronx Zoo is the largest youth employer in the borough of the Bronx, providing opportunity and helping to transform lives in one of the most under-served communities in the nation. The Bronx Zoo is the subject of THE ZOO, a docu-series aired world-wide on Animal Planet. Members of the media should contact [email protected] (+1 (347) 840-1242) for more information or with questions.

 

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

WCS combines the power of its zoos and an aquarium in New York City and a Global Conservation Program in more than 50 countries to achieve its mission to save wildlife and wild places. WCS runs the world’s largest conservation field program, protecting more than 50 percent of Earth’s known biodiversity; in partnership with governments, Indigenous People, Local Communities, and the private sector. Its four zoos and aquarium (the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and the New York Aquarium ) welcome more than 3.5 million visitors each year, inspiring generations to care for nature. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org. Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: +1 (347) 840-1242. Listen to the WCS Wild Audio podcast HERE.