Fargo, ND, native Lauren Arndt, a 23-year-old zoology major at North Dakota State University, is running the Fargo Marathon this month to raise money for Born Free USA, a leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, with whom she shares an interest to save the African lion.
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According to Arndt: “This is my first time running for a charity and my first half-marathon. I’ve had surgeries on both ankles from track and soccer-related injuries so this half-marathon is a challenge! The issue to conserve African lions is near to my heart. My passion began as a little girl watching ‘The Lion King,’ and last spring I went to Zimbabwe to work on lion rehabilitation and release into the wild.
“The decline in the lion population is devastating and I respect and admire the work that Born Free USA is doing to conserve and protect them. Their campaign to get the lion listed as endangered is critical and I want to support them. That is why I chose to dedicate my marathon run to them and help raise money and awareness for Born Free USA.”
Adam Roberts, executive vice president of Born Free USA, says: “Lauren is a role model. She is not just thinking about what she believes in, but also taking action to help make a difference by talking about it and raising money to support something she is passionate about. We are honored that she chose Born Free USA as the beneficiary of her running campaign! Go Lauren!”
Born Free USA is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to the United States the message of “compassionate conservation” — the vision of the United Kingdom-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film “Born Free,” along with their son Will Travers, now chief executive officer of both organizations. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally.
More at www.bornfreeusa.org; on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bornfreeusa; and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BornFreeUSA.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, publicrelations@bornfreeusa.org, (203) 270-8929.