Healesville Sanctuary plays a critical role in fighting extinction to save many of Australia's most threatened species including Tasmanian Devils, Mountain Pygmy-possums and Helmeted Honeyeaters. For the keepers who work with these animals, it's not just a job - it's a passion.

To raise awareness of the species in Australia threatened with extinction, the 17 keepers from the Threatened Species team at Healesville Sanctuary have pledged to run, walk and swim 819km - one kilometre for every threatened species in Australia, as listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. They hope to complete their goal by Threatened Species Day which will be celebrated on Sunday 4 September 2011.

With only two weeks to go, the team is already half way there, covering more than 450 kilometres in rain, hail and shine! Visitors are enjoying watching the group run through the Sanctuary at lunchtime - you can't miss them with their fantastic t-shirts and strong message. The team is still Running out of Time for our threatened species so please, jump on board. Donate today, or get your own team as we Fight Extinction together!

You can help our threatened species by sponsoring the team to raise money for these important breeding programs.

Want to get involved? Why not get your own team together or go on your own to run, walk or swim 819km or, if you're pledging as an individual, 112km for our threatened mammals and bird species, 89km for our amphibians and reptiles or 20km for the threatened vertebrate species in Victoria?

Or simply click here and pledge a donation.

Your support helps us save wildlife. Healesville Sanctuary is a not-for-profit conservation organisation.