It was a recording-breaking year for the 20th annual Oasis ZooRun, raising almost $80,000 in support of the Toronto Zoo.
This family-friendly fundraising event was hosted in person on September 17th and virtually from August 17th to September 17th, allowing participants the opportunity to complete their 10K, 5K, CubRun or 15K Tiger Trek Challenge at their own speed.
“It was just amazing to see the interest and participation in this year’s Oasis ZooRun”, says Beth Gilhespy, executive director of the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy. “We challenged ourselves and participants with a goal of $40,000 and are so grateful to those who fundraised or donated, helping us to almost double our goal.”
Over the years, the Oasis ZooRun has raised more than $650,000 to support the crucial wildlife conservation work being done by the Toronto Zoo in preserving endangered species, breeding and reintroducing vulnerable animals into the wild, and creating opportunities to reconnect people with nature.
This year, 5,776 in-person and virtual participants – including Toronto Zoo staff and volunteers – continued to support the zoo by raising $78,629. Funds raised from this year’s event will continue to support the zoo’s conservation breeding and reintroduction programs and will also support the construction of a 10-foot climbing structure, a 12-foot feeding pole and a zip line in each of the outdoor Sumatran tiger exhibits. These installations were recommended by the Tiger SSP Care Manual to stimulate species-appropriate behaviours and provide enriching opportunities for the cats.
“Our mission is to connect people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction, so we love seeing people come together at your Toronto Zoo to support a common goal – a world where wildlife and wild spaces thrive,” Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf DeJong says. “Together with the help of Oasis ZooRun participants, we can make a real impact for species survival.”
“Canada Running Series was thrilled to be back at the Toronto Zoo with such amazing participant turnout and fundraising achievements,” says Heather Matters, Canada Running Series Director of Operations. “We value this unique partnership with the zoo and are so thankful to all the zoo and Wildlife Conservancy staff for their efforts in making this year’s event such a success.”
The Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy and Canada Running Series look forward to hosting Oasis ZooRun participants at the Toronto Zoo again in 2023.
Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy is a dedicated partner with the Toronto Zoo in the fight against extinction; established in 2019 to secure increased financial resources and support for the wildlife conservation work being done by the Toronto Zoo. Extinction is forever, and the zoo’s work in fighting extinction – through research, public engagement and education, breeding and reintroduction programs – is vital to wildlife, to us, and to our world. You can donate to the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy anytime at wildlifeconservancy.ca or over the phone at 416-392-9114.
