5 climbers worth climbing for

WWF

These natural-born climbers can scale the tallest trees and highest peaks with ease. Despite their resilience, they face steep threats to their habitat. You can reach new heights for their conservation with World Wildlife Fund’s CN Tower Climb for Nature on April 7 or 8.
Here are five climbers worth climbing 1,776 steps for.

5. Giant panda

Giant panda resting at top of tree trunk © naturepl.com / Juan Carlos Munoz / WWF

The rarest member of the bear family lives mainly in bamboo forests high in the mountains of western China. Unfortunately, the destruction and fragmentation of the forests they depend on is putting pandas at risk. Climb for the panda.

4. Sloth

Three-toed sloth © J.J. Huckin / WWF-US

Sloths spend nearly all their time hanging upside down from trees. The average three-toed sloth can ascend a tree at a leisurely three metres per minute. To put this in perspective, it would take a sloth 184 minutes, or three hours, to reach the top of the CN Tower. Most people do it in less than one hour. Like the panda, deforestation threatens this slow-paced climber.

3. Woodpecker

(c) Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren

Why fly when you can climb? Woodpeckers are zygodactylous, meaning they have two toes that point forward and two that point backwards. This makes them specially adapted for climbing up and down the trunks of trees. The red-headed woodpecker – known for its crimson head, neck and breast – is threatened as its hardwood habitat is lost. Climb for the red-headed woodpecker.

2. Gray treefrog


This tiny frog has two super powers: camouflage and climbing. Based on the time of day and temperature, gray treefrogs can alter their skin colour. They also have suction-like pads on their feet that enable them to stick to surfaces and ascend to the top of the tallest trees. By climbing the CN Tower, you can help connect the corridors between the Carolinian woodlands and wetlands they call home.

1. Snow Leopard

Snow leopard © Klein & Hubert / WWF

The snow leopard blends in perfectly with the steep and snowy mountains of Central Asia (including Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak). Although the snow leopard hunts and survives on steep cliffs and harsh terrain, it needs your help to climb away from climate change. There are fewer than 6,000 left in the wild. Climb for snow leopards.

Climb it for climbers. Climb it for change.

Feeling up for the physical and fundraising challenge the CN Tower Climb offers? Register today and rally for wildlife.