BRONX, NY, April 26, 2025 — More than 5,000 runners and walkers made tracks today to support the conservation of Critically Endangered Indian Gharial and other wildlife at the WCS Run for the Wild at the Bronx Zoo.

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s run, in its 17th year, was sponsored by Montefiore Einstein. Since the run debuted at the Bronx Zoo in 2009, more than 85,000 people have participated.

Each year, the WCS Run for the Wild is dedicated to an animal to raise awareness of the threats they face. The event this year was inspired by the Critically Endangered Indian gharial and will help support the Wildlife Conservation Society’s conservation work at the Bronx Zoo and around the world. Indian gharial can be seen in the Bronx Zoo’s JungleWorld.

Winners of the 5K race today were: 

Men’s category:
First place: Tyler Perry from Haverstraw, NY 
Second place: James Berent from Jersey City, NJ
Third place: Thomas Canavan from Sturbridge, MA

Women’s category:
First place: Leah Nelson from New York, NY 
Second place: Noa Denver from Washington Heights, NY
Third place: Josephine Demos from New York, NY

After the run, participants enjoyed visiting wildlife and exploring the grounds at the zoo. Post-run activities included music, costumed characters, Wildlife Theater, trivia, games, fand ace painting.

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