Elephant at watering hole photo via Shutterstock
August 12th is World Elephant Day, a day to raise awareness of the grave plight of Asian and African elephants. Each region has its own elephant issues, ranging from the escalation of poaching and illegal trade, to habitat loss, to human-elephant conflict and captivity issues. The goal of World Elephant Day is to bring people together to speak to these issues with a powerful global voice on behalf of elephants. There are several ways you can help elephants:
Become Elephant Educated
Learn about the deeper issues behind the threats facing elephants. In order to find a solution, we need to create alternative, sustainable livelihoods for people who have traditionally relied on elephants.
Support Elephant Organizations
Support organizations who are working to protect habitat for wild elephants, finding solutions for human-elephant conflict, and preventing poaching.
Only Visit Eco-Tourism Operations
If you wish to experience elephants in their natural environment choose eco-tourism operators who support local elephant conservation projects and who treat elephants with respect and dignity.
Support World Elephant Day
Help raise awareness of the plight of Elephants by talking about it with your friends, on your website, or on social media. Visit World Elephant Day’s Pressroom to get some creative materials to help.
To celebrate World Elephant Day, we are showing the documentary Return to the Forest on our website. What are you doing for World Elephant Day? Here are some ideas:
- Host your own World Elephant Day and screen the Return to the Forest documentary with friends
- Share your favorite elephant stories, photos, videos, and books with us on Facebook
- Post a photo of yourself holding the reasons you love elephants and pin it to the WED Pinterest Board
- Write a poem about elephants and share it on your blog or on World Elephant Day’s Facebook
- Sign the pledge to support a world that protects elephants, wildlife, and their habitat
- Donate money to an elephant organization working to conserve and protect the elephant population. Visit the Associates page to learn about elephant conservation organizations worldwide.
Watch the Documentary: Return to the Forest
Bring the World Together to Help Elephants. For more information on World Elephant Day and how you can help elephants visit: www.worldelephantday.org
