BREAKING: 2,300 Santas Take Over Taichung Streets — Road Closed for Taiwan Black Bear Run

▲ Thousands of Santas and hundreds of Taiwan black bears simultaneously appeared on the streets of Taichung.

Reported & photographed by You t
ru / Taichung

Thousands of Santas and hundreds of Taiwan black bears simultaneously appeared on the streets of Taichung. The fun-filled charity event “Santa Go Grassland Christmas Fun Run” kicked off at 10 a.m. this morning (14th) along the Grassland, where 2,300 Santas and 200 Taiwan black bears started running together at the sound of the starting horn. The area around Taichung’s Grassland was instantly enveloped in a sea of red, creating a joyful festive atmosphere.%亥亥嚎锤?嗍サ?先苏掌?/strong>



 
▲ The 200 bears represent the endangered population of Taiwan black bears, while the 2,300 Santas symbolize the Taiwanese public’s care and attention toward native species.

Now in its third year, the Christmas run organized by the Chi-Mei Museum Cultural and Arts Foundation, this year’s “2013 Santa Go Grassland Christmas Fun Run — Run for Taiwan Black Bears” incorporates conservation themes in collaboration with the Taiwan Black Bear Conservation Association. The limited-edition 200 bears represent the critically low numbers of the endangered Taiwan black bear, while the 2,300 Santas signify the hope that Taiwan’s 23 million people will pay more attention to and care for the native species, the Taiwan black bear.

“Foreign pandas and teddy bears may be cute, but the Taiwan black bear, as a symbol of our local heritage, has a simple charm all its own,” said Ho Ming-hsien, chairman of the Chi-Mei Museum Cultural and Arts Foundation. He expressed the hope that the Christmas run would inspire the public to take action in support of conservation. Research shows that only 200 to 600 Taiwan black bears remain, a figure critically low compared to the minimum of 2,000 needed for a stable population. As such, not only did participants dress up as Taiwan black bears to lead the run, but all registration fees totaling NT$885,000 were donated in full to the Taiwan Black Bear Conservation Association to support black bear conservation and awareness efforts.


▲ Excited participants at the start of the run.


▲ Many participants ran while holding signs featuring black bears.

Gathering began at 9 a.m. today (14th), with the official start at 10 a.m. The run was led by celebrity endorsers “Universe People” and 200 Taiwan black bears in an energetic kickoff. Participants showed great creativity in their costumes — transforming Christmas trees into portable versions, or turning strollers into mini sleighs with family in tow. With imagination and joy, they turned the Grassland into a unique and festive Christmas party for a good cause.