1,080/1M
Sunsuria City, Sepang, 27 Nov. 2017 – Five thousand 'Shark Heroes' turned up to support conservation of the endangered fish at the Shark Hero Conservation Run 2017 recently. The family fun run was held on 18 Nov 2017 in conjunction with the Be A Shark Hero project by Shark Savers Malaysia (SSMY) and the World Wide Fund (WWF-Malaysia) for Nature Malaysia.
Organised by ACExelent, the event aimed to create awareness on the need to stop killing sharks.
Both the run and the accompanying carnival were shark-themed and appealed to the whole family. Participants warmed up with Shark Savers Malaysia ambassadors and local artistes by doing the famous Baby Shark Doo Doo Dance in shark costumes together with sponsor Pocotee & Friends' mascot. During the run, participants had to answer a question about sharks every 1 km of the 4km run. Participants received a badge for every question answered correctly.
Before and after the run, participants also took part in shark-related games and workshops run by Shark Savers Malaysia and their conservation partners. These included a Shark 101 course, a shark exhibition and an arts and crafts session.
Participants were also able to sign a petition against shark killing. The petition garnered more than 2000 signatures. In addition, volunteers from Shark Savers Malaysia, were at hand to answer questions about issues and concerns related to the conservation of this fish.
“It's so great to see so many people from different ethnicities, cultural backgrounds and even from other parts of Malaysia, come to the event to save sharks,” said Alicia Tan, project manager of Shark Savers Malaysia.
“Sharks are disappearing at an alarming rate. Their numbers are down by 95% in some regions. Many species are facing extinction during our lifetime.”
In addition to public participation, various companies and beauty queens, as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts, sponsored participation from 15 orphanages and disability organisations.
A total of RM17,500 from the event was also donated to Shark Savers Malaysia at the end of the evening.
The on-going Be A Shark Hero project advocates shark conservation through education, empowerment and grassroots programmes. “Sharks play a key role in marine ecosystems,” said Tan. “Remember, when the buying stops, the killing can too.”
Shark Savers Malaysia is a non-profit membership-based organisation dedicated to saving sharks through building awareness, education, and grassroots action. For more information please contact Ms Alicia Tan at hello@sharksavers.org.my or visit @SharkSaversMalaysia on Facebook.
