BC Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps mascots face off with WWF's Panda and champion tower runner ahead of WWF-Canada's Climb for Nature
This playful showdown marks the final countdown to WWF-Canada's 3rd annual Climb for Nature happening at BC Place on October 24
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 23, 2026 /CNW/ -- Familiar feathered and furry faces in B.C. sport hit the stairs at Terry Fox Plaza today, with the BC Lions' Leo the Lion and the Vancouver Whitecaps' Spike the Kingfisher facing off against World Wildlife Fund Canada's giant panda mascot in a playful race ahead of WWF-Canada's Climb for Nature at BC Place on October 24.
The menagerie of mascots were also joined by Squamish-based Shaun Stephens-Whale, a world-renowned tower climber and former wildland firefighter who holds the Climb for Nature speed records at BC Place and the CN Tower.
Together, they brought a spirited spotlight to the province's wildlife and places that need our help and challenged British Columbians of all ages and fitness levels, from first-time climbers to seasoned athletes, to step up for nature by taking on the 3,000 or 6,000-step stadium challenge.
"Having seen the impacts of climate change firsthand during my time as a wildland firefighter, supporting WWF-Canada's conservation efforts is deeply personal," said Shaun Stephens-Whale. "Today's race was a fun way to get moving, but the real challenge is on October 24 at BC Place. We need British Columbians of all fitness levels to join us and step up for nature."
The event comes as WWF-Canada's recent Living Planet Report Canada found that 52 percent of monitored species are in decline across the country. On the West Coast, only about 75 Southern Resident killer whales remain in the Salish Sea where they continue to face escalating threats from ship traffic, underwater noise, food shortages and pollution.
Funds raised through the Climb for Nature support conservation efforts in B.C. and beyond -- from restoring salmon habitat in the Lower Fraser watershed, to regenerating forests after wildfire in the B.C. Interior, to reducing threats to West Coast whales.
"Conservation is a team sport. Together, step by step, we can help species and their habitats recover. B.C. is not only defined by its incredible nature but by the passion of its people to protect it," said Kevin Cooper, Vice-President, Community Giving at WWF-Canada."
"At the BC Lions, community and local pride are at the core of everything we do, on and off the field. That includes protecting the incredible natural landscapes that make British Columbia so special. We are proud to support WWF-Canada's Climb for Nature and encourage all of our fans to lace up their sneakers on October 24 and step up for West Coast wildlife at BC Place," said Duane Vienneau, CEO and President of the BC Lions.
The WWF Climb for Nature is made possible by the generous support of national sponsor, Aviso.
Photos and footage from today's mascot race are available here: MEDIA PACK
About WWF's BC Place Climb for Nature
- Takes place on Saturday, October 24 at BC Place
- Participants can choose to complete the 3,000-step single bowl or the 6,000-step double bowl
- Registration if open at wwf.ca/bcplace
- Adult registration is $20 with a $50 fundraising minimum; kids and youth registration is $10 with a $30 fundraising minimum
- Participants will receive a commemorative Climb for Nature T-shirt with their climb time, and are eligible for fundraising rewards depending on the amount they raise.
- A section reserved for spectators to sit in on the action and cheer on climbers.
About WWF-Canada
WWF-Canada is committed to equitable and effective conservation actions that restore nature, reverse wildlife loss and fight climate change. We draw on scientific analysis and Indigenous guidance to ensure all our efforts connect to a single goal: a future where wildlife, nature and people thrive. For more information, visit wwf.ca.
SOURCE World Wildlife Fund Canada
For further information: Alicia Arruda, [email protected], 778-846-8460
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