Jumbo run for conservation | ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Feb. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- Lee Sambrook, Andrew Durham and Gary Hampson will be swapping their wellies for running shoes when they take part in the Brighton Marathon on Sunday 18th April 2010.

In an effort to raise money for the worldwide conservation work of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the trio have been hard at work training for the run – with the help of their beloved elephants.

The keepers take the elephants on a daily walk around the grounds of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, covering an impressive 600 acres of land. The walks gave their fitness levels a great boost, as keeper-turned-sprinter Lee Sambrook explains: “Keeping up with the elephants on a five-mile walk is no easy task – so it’s certainly given us a head start. But training for the marathon is going to take a little more work than that!”

The Zoological Society of London is a registered charity, dedicated to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. ZSL currently has conservation projects based in over 40 countries around the world, carries out leading scientific research in the Institute of Zoology and runs both ZSL Whipsnade and London Zoos.

To help the ellie keepers raise money for the Zoological Society of London, visit www.justgiving.com/elephantkeepers and feel free to come along on the day to cheer them on!

-ENDS-

http://www.zsl.org/conservation/about-conservation/

Editors Notes

For any more information please contact Rebecca Smith:-
E: rebecca.smith@zsl.org
T: 0207 449 6236

The Brighton Marathon will be held on Sunday 18th April 2010, starting at Brighton’s Preston Park and finishing near the world famous Brighton Pier.

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is home to a herd of Asian elephants. They are taken on a daily walk by their keepers around the site of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo; this exercise is great enrichment for the elephants.

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is open every day of the year except for Christmas Day. For more information about the Zoo, please visit www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo

Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: the key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research in the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in other countries worldwide. For further information please visit www.zsl.org    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH6jELQb0-k



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Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. For further information please visit http://www.zsl.org