HÀ NỘI — More than 750 runners from 31 countries and territories joined a running event in Hà Nội yesterday as part of efforts to raise public awareness on protecting tigers from extinction.

This was the 12th edition of the annual ‘Run for Tigers’, aiming to raise funds for activities to safeguard the animals in Việt Nam.

Along with individuals and teams from various organisations, agencies and companies, including the EU Delegation to Vietnam and Unilever Vietnam, Miss Việt Nam 1994 Nguyễn Thu Thủy also joined the event which was held by the Red River Runners Club, Sporting Republic Company and the Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV).

Jody O’Dea of the Red River Runners Club said he was delighted by the support of runners to the event, which shows public desire to protect tigers.

Demand for tiger-related products is a key reason behind a shrink in natural tiger population in Asia in recent decades.

In Việt Nam, there are only about five tigers living in nature, and they face the threats of illegal hunting and trading.

Meanwhile, the number of caged tigers has increased rapidly to about 241 at 17 zoos and other private-owned facilities.

ENV Deputy Director Nguyễn Thị Phương Dung said the extinction of the one-horned rhino in Việt Nam in 2010 was a great loss, stressing the need to take action to protect tigers before it is too late.

Dung called for the community to join the efforts by not using any product from tigers and report violations to authorised agencies or the hotline for wildlife protection 1800 1522.

She also underscored the need for strict measures to control and prevent the rise in caged tigers and handle illegal caging of tigers among households, especially in  central Nghệ An province - a hotspot for illegal tiger trading. — VNS