When Is International Elephant Day: The celebration of World Elephant Day, which falls on August 12, recognizes not only one of the most amazing animals on Earth but also the inherent beauty, spiritual significance, and environmental value of a bygone age. Elephants may go extinct completely in the next ten years, given the alarming 62% fall in their population during the past ten years.
It is estimated that poachers kill 100 African elephants every day due to the dangerously high demand for ivory in Asian markets. In order to highlight this problem and organize efforts to conserve these magnificent creatures, World Elephant Day was created. Launched with success in 2012, globe Elephant Day has touched millions of ardent individuals committed to bringing about positive change in the globe. Over 100 international groups committed to elephant conservation collaborated with Patricia Sims and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand to organize the event.
Elephants confront a variety of problems, and on this day, individuals and groups can get together to discuss solutions. In addition to preserving elephants’ natural habitats for the enjoyment of future generations, this worldwide movement seeks to support and encourage conservation activities that will safeguard elephants globally.
In observance of World Elephant Day on August 12, 2021, let’s join forces to shield these amazing creatures from the numerous dangers they confront.
History of World Elephant Day
The divide between humans and elephants has been great. Generally speaking, the African elephant has survived captivity and domestication due to its enormous natural habitat, strong stature, and commanding manner. However, despite having lived alongside humans for almost 4,000 years, the Asian elephant has deep cultural and spiritual roots and is highly prized. Oddly enough, Thailand has a national holiday dedicated to elephant celebrations, and the king or queen may even give them royal titles.
Despite their lengthy history, there is always more to discover about elephants. Clever, wise, gregarious, and sympathetic, they possess the biggest brain of any terrestrial species—qualities that align well with human goals. Given all of their similarities, humans and elephants are very similar. These amazing animals’ existence is in danger, though, as humans endanger the vital biodiverse habitats they depend on throughout Asia and Africa.
Elephants are important for the preservation of biodiversity and the health of ecosystems because they are keystone species. It is said on the World Elephant Day website that “to lose the elephant is to lose an environmental caretaker and an animal from which we have much to learn.”
Elephant protection requires strong local, national, and international protection legislation, as well as methods to combat poaching and the illegal ivory trade. Furthermore, initiatives should focus on better managing elephants’ natural habitats, educating people about the critical role elephants play in ecosystems, providing better care for elephants in captivity, and investigating the possibility of reintroducing captive elephants into wildlife reserves to replenish endangered populations naturally. Several elephant conservation organizations across the world pursue these goals.
World Elephant Day Timeline
50 million BC.
Wild elephants roam across Africa. Elephants are supposed to have originated in Africa before spreading to Asia and Europe via land bridges.[1]
2012.
Canadian Patricia Sims launched World Elephant Day in collaboration with Thailand’s Elephant Reintroduction Foundation, a royal project. Patricia Sims remains in control of the day’s activities.[2]
Centuries 19 and 20
Elephant population declines.
Despite global efforts to safeguard elephants, their populations continue to drop significantly.[3]
In 1976
Elephants in Africa are considered an endangered species.
The increased demand for ivory has led to a decline in elephant populations. Elephants hunted for their tusks are considered endangered due to poaching.[4]
In 2015
The World Elephant Society was created.
The World Elephant Society was established as a nonprofit organization to support the World Elephant Day project.
Some Interesting Facts About Elephants
Before we get into how World Elephant Day is celebrated, let’s look at some fascinating facts about these incredible creatures. These can be used as a starting point for further investigation. Here are some interesting specifics:
The African Bush Elephant is the world’s largest terrestrial mammal, weighing an average of up to 6,000 kg.
Elephants are classified into three species: African Bush Elephant, African Forest Elephant, and Asian elephant.
Elephant trunks include almost 150,000 muscles.
Elephant wrinkles may hold up to ten times as much water as flat skin and have a thickness of approximately 2.5 cm.
Elephants need approximately 150 kg of food per day to keep alive.
These astounding facts are intended to pique your interest and motivate further investigation into the world of elephants. Let us now discuss World Elephant Day.
How did the idea of ​​celebrating World Elephant Day come about?
Patricia Sims, a Canadian resident, founded World Elephant Day on August 12, 2012, in partnership with the Thailand Elephant Reintroduction Foundation, a project of Thailand’s Queen Sirikit. Patricia Sims is now the primary organizer of the event. Since its inception, the Global Elephant Awareness System has reached a vast audience through partnerships with 100 conservation organizations throughout the world. Millions of individuals around the world have shown concern for elephants, expressing a common desire to encourage the increase of elephant populations.
On World Elephant Day, people around the world are encouraged to support organizations working to halt the trade in ivory and other wildlife products, as well as criminal poaching. It urges persons in positions of authority to raise concerns about maintaining wild elephants’ natural habitats and creating sanctuaries and other areas where domestic elephants can live freely. This program demonstrates people’s love for elephants and their commitment to the health and growth of elephant populations.
What Are the Different Types of Elephants?
Elephants, the world’s largest terrestrial mammal, are known for their sociability and intelligence, and they often live in herds. The two primary elephant species are African elephants and Asian elephants.
“The African savanna elephant is the largest elephant species, while the Asian forest elephant and African forest elephant are of comparable, smaller size,” according to the World Wildlife Organization.
The World Elephant Day website also underlines how closely the extinct gigantic elephants were related to the African elephant.
Why is August 12th a Elephant Day?
The date, August 12th, was chosen to honor the iconic Asian elephant, which holds great cultural and ecological significance. The day provides a platform for organizations, governments, and individuals to come together, share knowledge, and engage in initiatives aimed at protecting elephants and their habitats.
World Elephant Day is an annual global movement to raise awareness about elephant conservation and protection. Every year on August 12, we commemorate Elephant Day to raise awareness about the issues that elephants face, such as habitat degradation, poaching, and human-elephant conflict. The primary goal is to increase awareness and support for programs that ensure the survival of Asian and African elephant species.
World Elephant Day, which takes place on August 12, was founded in 2012 by Canadian filmmakers Patricia Sims and Michael Clark in collaboration with Thailand’s Elephant Reintroduction Foundation. This day was chosen as a tribute to the Asian elephant, which is significant in both culture and nature. The event serves as a focal point for groups, governments, and individuals to gather, share ideas, and participate in activities that safeguard elephants and their habitats.
What is the theme of the World Elephant Day 2023?
Ending the Illegal Wildlife Trade
What Is the Theme of World Elephant Day 2023? According to News 18, This year’s theme is “Ending the Illegal Wildlife Trade.” The illegal wildlife trade is a major threat to elephants. Every year, thousands of elephants are killed for their ivory tusks, which are then sold on the black market.
World Elephant Day focuses on a certain topic or concern related to elephant conservation. Previous topics have included:
Putting an end to the illegal ivory trade.
Resolving human-elephant conflicts.
Encouraging elephant-friendly tourism.
These themes serve as focal points for highlighting critical challenges and inspiring collaboration and action in the struggle to save these amazing animals.
“Ending the Illegal Wildlife Trade” has been chosen as the subject for World Elephant Day 2023. This subject underlines the need to eliminate the illegal trade in elephant ivory and other animal goods. The illegal wildlife trade gravely threatens elephants since an estimated 20,000 elephants are poached for ivory each year. The purpose of the 2023 theme is to raise awareness of this pressing issue and encourage group activities to combat illegal wildlife trafficking in order to safeguard these incredible species for future generations.
Who is the founder of Elephant Day?
Patricia Sims
History of World Elephant Day
On August 12, 2012, Patricia Sims, a Canadian, and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand, an initiative of HM Queen Sirikit of Thailand, co-founded World Elephant Day. Patricia Sims has continued to oversee World Elephant Day ever since.
On August 12, 2012, the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand, directed by HM Queen Sirikit of Thailand, and Canadian Patricia Sims collaborated to establish World Elephant Day. Patricia Sims has overseen the operations and impacts of World Elephant Day since its inception. Throughout its history, World Elephant Day has influenced countless individuals around the world and formed partnerships with 100 elephant conservation organizations.
Millions of people worldwide celebrate World Elephant Day, displaying their great commitment to and concern for elephants. This collaborative effort emphasizes the common goal of taking major measures to help the protection of these wonderful species. World Elephant Day’s continuous popularity and reach illustrate how dedicated people all over the world are to raising awareness and taking action to conserve elephants.
Which city celebrates Elephant Day?
city of Jaipur
The Elephant Festival is a festival celebrated in the city of Jaipur in Rajasthan state in India.
Every year, the colorful Elephant Festival is held right in the heart of Jaipur, Rajasthan. This yearly festival, held on the day of Holi, which is normally in February or March, honors the elephant, which is revered in Rajasthan as a symbol of sovereignty and sacredness.
Elephants are the major attraction at the celebrations, dressed in intricate schools, expensive gems, and brocade scarves. These gorgeous creatures, revered for their significance in Rajasthani culture, participate in a variety of rites and change into living masterpieces.
Beyond their symbolic value, the elephants steal the show at the Elephant Festival parade. Engaging events include an elephant race that captivates spectators, a tug-of-war that gives a vibrant touch to the festivities, and elephant polo, in which the majestic beasts demonstrate their beauty and agility.
The Elephant Festival is a breathtaking performance that combines traditional reverence with exuberant celebration, all while highlighting the magnificence of these massive beasts. The festival respects the renowned and sacred role of elephants in the area while offering a unique glimpse into Rajasthan’s rich cultural fabric, attracting both residents and visitors.
Why is Elephant Day celebrated?
What is World Elephant Day? On August 12, 2012, the first occasion of World Elephant Day was launched to bring attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African Elephants. The elephant is loved, revered and respected by people and cultures around the world.
The best way to celebrate is to learn about these wonderful critters and then teach others what you’ve learned. As always, meaningful change can be achieved by simply increasing awareness on social media about the challenges these incredible animals face.
You can persuade someone, such as an old high school classmate who is currently planning a honeymoon to Thailand, by sharing a few World Elephant Day Facebook postings. She may reconsider riding an elephant after reading your posted posts and discovering that the “training” of these animals frequently comprises daily tethering and beating for extended periods.
Watching the documentary above for thirty minutes should be eye-opening. It not only illustrates the problems that elephants experience, but it also includes stunning scenery. People who want a more hands-on approach can get involved by donating to a nonprofit that protects elephants from poachers or relocates them to better surroundings.
World Elephant Day contributes significantly to raising awareness of elephant issues. Its primary objectives are to protect elephants in their natural habitats better, to enforce laws against poaching and the illegal ivory trade, to protect elephant habitats, to improve the welfare of captive elephants, and to facilitate the release of captive elephants back into protected areas.
Elephants play an important role in our ecosystem, and we must safeguard them for future generations. This observation serves as a reminder of this. It gives a global arena for people to get together and show their support for these incredible animals while also reiterating a shared commitment to their welfare.
