Mysuru: A walkathon was organised under the aegis of Mysuru Zoo this morning to mark the 63rd Wildlife Week celebrations in city.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) D. Randeep flagged off the awareness rally in front of Kote Anjaneyaswamy temple.

More than 300 children from different schools took part in the walkathon which passed through Hardinge Circle and Sir Mirza Ismail road before reaching the Zoo.

School children, wearing masks of various wild animals such as Tiger, Lion, Bear and Wolf, marched through the streets, holding placards that read ‘Save Wildlife,’ ‘Save  Forests,’ ‘Save a Life,’ ‘Adopt-a-Shelter Animal,’ and ‘Save Water.’

Addressing the participants, Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) Member-Secretary B.P. Ravi said that wild animals were like the jewels of nature. He also explained the initiatives of the State Government in organising seminars, lectures and hands-on workshops to bring people more closer to nature.

Stressing on the need to save wildlife, he said that the Week was aimed at improving the awareness as well as the consciousness of the people through wildlife conservation