Thought you could only see a herd of elephants on safari or at the zoo? Then think again. On Saturday 6th June, Clapham Common will be taken over by elephants – that is, charity runners dressed as elephants to raise money for conservation charity, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT).

Rob Brandford, UK Director of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, explains: “Today, Africa’s elephants need our help more than ever before. Across Africa, one elephant is killed every 15 minutes for their tusks to fuel an increasing demand for ivory. An estimated 35,000 elephants are killed every year leading prominent conservationists to warn the species could be extinct in the wild by 2025.
 

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust relies completely on donations and fundraising to protect wildlife and habitats in Kenya. In recent years, ivory poachers have decimated elephant and rhinoceros populations across Africa leading to an increase in milk-dependent baby elephants, orphaned by the trade in ivory and elephants targeted multiple times by poachers.

The Enormous Elephant Run is our chance to make a difference for elephants and protect them for future generations. We encourage everyone to get involved – what’s more we are hoping to break a Guinness World Record by gathering the largest number of people dressed as elephants. Last year’s event on Wimbledon Common attracted over 200 runners, this year we want to attract 700 at both charity runs in Manchester and London.”

The Enormous Elephant Run is a charity fun run with a difference; all participants will be dressed as elephants and plan to run, jog, skip and walk either 5 or 10K to raise vital funds and awareness for Africa’s elephants.

Last year, the DSWT raised over £50,000 and this year the charity hopes to raise even more. Charity projects in Kenya include an Elephant Orphanage, made famous by the BBC series ‘Elephant Diaries,’ and the only safe haven in Kenya for orphaned elephants.

Since 1987, the DSWT has successfully hand reared more than 180 elephants to be reintegrated back into the wild when grown including orphan Mbegu (pictured below with elephant keeper Kariuki).
 

The charity also operates nine Anti-Poaching Teams and four Mobile Veterinary Units in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service which work in the field to protect elephants from ivory poachers.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is encouraging those interested to sign up as soon as possible; registration costs £18 for those aged 6-15 years old in the 5k, £32 for an adult in the 5K and £35 for an adult in the 10K, with a suggested fundraising target of £200 per person. Registration costs cover an elephant suit (to keep), fundraising materials and support.

For more information and to register your place visit www.runforelephants.com or contact the events team at infouk@sheldrickwildlifetrust.org