Elephants boast the longest gestation period of any land mammal, carrying their young for nearly two years before birth.
Elephants once roamed across Asia and Africa in huge numbers. Sadly, around the 19th and 20th centuries, their population suddenly declined, putting them at risk of going extinct.
Their biggest threat? Us. In Africa, poachers hunt and kill elephants for their tusks, while in Asia, they are losing their natural habitat to humans.
Unfortunately, many people are unaware of these issues or the ways they can help, which is why World Elephant Day is so important.
If you’d like to learn more about how this holiday could help save the elephants, keep reading.
History of World Elephant Day.
In 2010, two filmmakers from Canada, Patricia Sims and Michael Clark, traveled to Thailand to shoot a film to show the world the challenges elephants faced.
While working on the project, they connected with the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation. Founded by Queen Sirikit of Thailand in 2002, this charity is dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing captive elephants into the wild.
Upon the foundation’s request, the filmmakers agreed to make a film showcasing their work. It was during this collaboration in 2011 that the idea of dedicating a day to elephants first came up.
13 years ago, on August 12, 2012, the first-ever World Elephant Day was celebrated. This first celebration coincided with the release of their documentary, Return to the Forest.
Since then, World Elephant Day celebrations have continued to grow, partnering with over 100 organizations and attracting millions of participants globally to create awareness about the plight of elephants.
How to celebrate World Elephant Day.
The best way to celebrate World Elephant Day is to find creative ways to support its mission. Here are some simple ways you can make a difference.
Help spread the word.
One of the easiest ways to mark World Elephant Day is by lending your voice to the cause. It’s easy, won’t cost you a dime, and anyone can join in.
Start by sharing some posts on your social media or speaking with friends and family. By raising awareness about the challenges elephants face, you get more people on board to help.
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