ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is preparing to welcome a different kind of herd when its annual Zoo Stampede returns on Sunday 7 June, 2015.
Roar-some racers taking part in the Zoo’s annual fundraising run, will charge around the 10km or 2km circuits, with the pack passing some of the world’s most incredible animals, including speedy northern cheetahs and laid-back ring-tailed lemurs.
Celebrating its 10th year, the ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Stampede sees runners sprint, strut and stomp their way around the UK’s biggest Zoo, and this year will raise funds for ZSL’s Lions400 campaign to protect endangered Asiatic lions.
By taking part in the 10km run or 2km kids’ fun run, runners will be putting their best foot forward to help international conservation charity the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), carry out its vital work to protect the last 400 Asiatic lions living in the Gir Forest in India.
Last year determined challengers raised more than £26,000, and it’s hoped fundraisers can limber up and do even better this time around.
Ali Corbett, ZSL Challenge and Community Events Manager, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming runners of all abilities for our 10th anniversary ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Stampede. It’s wonderful to see runners around the route paws-ing when they catch a glimpse of one of our many incredible residents.
“It’s been a brilliant 10 years with participants digging deep to raise funds for us; we hope people will show such fantastic support again this year and help us protect the last stronghold of Asiatic lions.”
Sponsored by Ballygowan Natural Mineral Water, places in the pack are available now at www.zsl.org/whipsnadestampede but pick up the pace as they are limited.
Entry fees include entrance to the Zoo for the day, car parking for all participants, chip timing, and medals for all finishers. Prizes will also be presented to the first three male and female runners and the first mixed team in the 10km, and the winner of the 2km.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Stampede
- Entry forms can be downloaded from www.zsl.org/whipsnadestampede
- The 10km run starts at 9.30am, the 2km run starts at 11.00am.
- Spectators including parents/guardians need to pay usual admission entry fees to the Zoo. There is a 10% discount for tickets purchased online prior to the event.
Entry fees
| 10km Entry Fees | 2km Entry Fees |
| ZSL members – £27.00 | ZSL child member – £18.00 |
| Affiliated runners – £29.00 | Runners 15yrs and under – £20.00 |
| Non-affiliated runners – £31.00 |
Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica)
The Asiatic lion, which survive only in the isolated Gir Forest in Western Gujarat, India, are now classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals, the definition of which is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Threatened by disease, natural disasters, habitat loss and vulnerable to poaching, Asiatic lions face a daily battle for survival. With only an estimated 400 of these big cats left in the wild, Asiatic lions are facing the very real threat of extinction.
Lions400
Asiatic lions are on the brink of extinction with only approx. 400 (411 exactly at last census in 2010) left in the wild, living in a small patch of the Gir Forest, India, vulnerable to threats including disease, disaster, poaching and a growing human population. ZSL’s Lions400 campaign aims to raise £5.7m to create a state-of-the-art Asiatic lion hub and exhibit at ZSL London Zoo, and carry out vital conservation work in the wild to protect this endangered species clinging to survival.