Panda is training for the BC Place Climb for Nature with a little help from legendary B.C. sports mascots
The odds were neck and neck on World Wildlife Day when our beloved panda mascot faced off against the BC Lions’ Leo the Lion in a highly anticipated rematch on the steps of Terry Fox Plaza outside BC Place, in Vancouver. The field of mascot competitors was steeper than last year with the Vancouver Whitecaps’ Spike the Belted Kingfisher and the Vancouver Canadians’ Bob Brown Bear getting in on the action, too.
With the iconic stadium as the backdrop, the furry and feathered mascots raced up and down the stairs, fighting it out in preparation for the WWF BC Place Climb for Nature.
Shaun Stephens-Whale, who is a world-renowned tower runner from Squamish and the record-holder for both the CN Tower Climb for Nature and the BC Place Climb for Nature, led the characters in a warm-up before the big race.
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Then they were off!
But before we reveal the results, here are some scientific facts you should be aware of:
- Mountain lions like Leo can climb over 4.5 metres in a single leap and reach top speeds of about 80 kilometres per hour.
- Brown bears like Bob can climb a 30-metre tree in 30 seconds flat.
- Belted kingfishers like Spike can fly around 58 kilometres an hour (even faster when flying away from predators or diving for prey).
- Giant pandas are peaceful animals, which will usually avoid confrontation by climbing up trees.
The mascots sweated it out for biodiversity, giving it their all.
Leo and Spike had the home turf advantage, winning one heat each. After last year’s crushing defeat, panda came back faster than ever, flexing its natural climbing abilities to best the other mascots in the final race. Now, with one first-place finish under its belt, panda is feeling good about the big climb in nine weeks.
Conservation is a team sport. WWF-Canada is proud to stand alongside these legendary B.C. sports teams to raise awareness about our second annual BC Place Climb for Nature. We’re calling on nature lovers of all ages to step up for wildlife with us on Saturday, May 10.
What are you waiting for? Get off the sidelines and into the fight against wildlife loss and climate change by fundraising and climbing the stands of this iconic stadium! Panda will be there, cheering you on.
