It was an unbe-leaf-able feat! Environmental activist Abubakar Tahiru took his arboreal affection to new heights by embracing 1,123 trees in just one hour.
Tearing through Alabama’s Tuskegee National Forest, the 29-year-old Ghana native shattered the Guinness World Record for the most trees hugged within a 60-minute timeframe. Averaging an impressive 19 tree hugs per minute, Tahiru’s mission was to inspire Ghana’s youth, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, showcasing that overcoming challenges can lead to significant impacts.
Pursuing a master’s degree in forestry at Auburn University, Tahiru’s attempt demanded wrapping both arms around each tree in a tight embrace, without repeating any hugs or causing harm to the saplings. Moving through the forest with grace, he allotted about three seconds per tree.
The challenge was magnified as Tahiru observed Ramadan, fasting and abstaining from water during the exhausting endeavor. Despite this, he pressed on uninterrupted, ultimately surpassing the previous record of 700 tree hugs.
Tahiru expressed the rewarding feeling of achieving the world record, emphasizing his mission to raise awareness about environmental conservation and the vital role of trees in our ecosystem. His next endeavors include delving deeper into forestry, fostering sustainable practices, and collaborating with environmental organizations on impactful projects.
