Running for Sumatran Wildlife
By Zane Jones-Hogg
Earlier this year, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Sumatra with a Raw Conservation Adventures Trip on the Orangutan Haven Field Trip. This was an experience that left a lasting impression on me; Sumatra captured my heart. On this adventure, I volunteered at Orangutan Haven and trekked in the Gunung Leuser National Park, encountering amazing wildlife and meeting the heroes who work tirelessly to protect them. This trip also opened my eyes to the challenges facing Sumatra’s wildlife and inspired me to find ways to become more involved.
Before I had even arrived home in New Zealand, I had begun planning my next trip to Sumatra, to take part in next year's Tiger Corral Expedition. Furthermore, I wanted to take on a greater role as an advocate for conservation, so I decided to set up a fundraiser supporting the Sumatran Ranger Project and raising awareness for Sumatran Wildlife. My first goal is to raise funds for the materials to construct a predator-proof tiger corral, so I set myself the personal goal of running the 11km Auckland Harbour Bridge traverse. This meant starting running, having never been a runner; getting myself into a regular running routine and creating a Facebook page to update my progress and spread awareness about Sumatran wildlife conservation.
I invested in some new running shoes and began heading out for training runs, building up my fitness around familiar Auckland locations such as Lake Pupuke. I also took the opportunity to practice part of the actual route, running from the end of the Auckland Harbour to Victoria Park. I posted information and short videos on Sumatran wildlife and the Sumatran Ranger Project, gathering support for my fundraiser.
Luckily, we had perfect conditions for race day as I set out to conquer the Harbour Bridge course. I stopped occasionally to post short videos on my progress and share fun facts about Sumatran tigers, elephants and orangutans. Legs burning and feeling triumphant, I finally made my way across the finish line at Victoria Park, where I was congratulated by friends and family.
It took time and dedication, but knowing that every step was helping support an important conservation project gave me plenty of motivation to keep going. Real change does not happen overnight; instead, it takes lots of small actions done every day to create lasting change over time. One more snare disarmed, one small conversation with a friend, making sustainable choices at the supermarket or building supply stores, or another tiger corral protecting forest edge communities. Little steps, and lots of them, make a difference!
Although the Harbour Bridge is behind me, my fundraiser is far from done. My next personal goal will be the 8km Round the Bays run in February 2027
. In the meantime, I will continue to share more updates on my runs and more facts about Sumatran wildlife and the conservation projects that help support them, hopefully encouraging more people to get involved and help contribute to this important cause.
