Save The Elephant Day

Save The Elephant Day - an important occasion to educate people about elephants and the hardships they face, encourage people to do their own thing and help save them from extinction.

April 16th every year is considered as Save the Elephant Day in order to raise awareness about the dangers of elephants and the various hardships they must face and overcome to stay alive. By spreading awareness, people can understand the importance and consequences of their actions, or actions not taken, for the future of elephants. The two main problems with elephants are habitat loss and the ivory trade, both of which are man-made threats.

History of Save the Elephant Day

Elephants are considered a key species due to their impact on the environment and surrounding flora and fauna. The size and strength help them in shaping their habitats, digging new watering holes are a typical example. They are also important for seed dispersal, facilitating the reproduction of different species of plants and trees.

From the long time, they have been high appreciated in human culture, their wisdom, strength, and sociable nature. They often feature prominently in architecture, whether carved on cave walls, sculptured in Buddhist temples, or carved in rock on Gothic churches. They are also revered in various world religions, believed to be receptacles for ancestral spirits and are associated with thunder and lightning. Perhaps the most famous example is the Hindu god Ganesha, who is depicted as having the head of an elephant.

Elephants are commonly used as working animals in Asia, humans using their incredible strength to carry heavy loads in construction projects or provide a mode of transport. In the past, they appeared in various wars.

However, even though we have love and gratitude for these wonderful animals, sadly our treatment of them has led to a decline in their numbers and an increase in elephants abused and exploited. The main culprit of population decline is the ivory trade – although much of it has been banned since the late 1980s, illegal poaching continues to this day, seeing an elephant every 30 minutes. Phi is killed for ivory.

Other threats to elephants include habitat loss and fragmentation, often caused by increased urbanization and conflict with humans over crops. There are also many cases of elephants being mistreated and abandoned in captivity, for example elephants being used in circuses or as tourist attractions.

Sadly, the African wild elephant and the Asian elephant are both listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), while the African wild elephant is classified as critically endangered level, with a rapidly decreasing population.

While these facts are certainly serious, all hope is not lost! To increase the number of wild elephants and rehabilitate those rescued from unpleasant circumstances are important thing to do for authorities. And real change can happen recent lobbying efforts led China, formerly the largest global ivory market, to ban the trade in 2018, helping to ease the relationship threat to elephants.

Together, we can work to protect these precious creatures and that is the goal of Save the Elephant Day!

How to celebrate Save the Elephant Day

One of the most effective ways to celebrate Elephant Rescue Day is to support or even volunteer for an organization that is focused on conserving these species, preventing poachers from killing elephants for their money. Their tusks are a prime example. There are organizations that have done a great job of conservation including the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and the Elephant Crisis Fund (ECF).You can even save some money and take a trip to an elephant sanctuary. These projects can help rehabilitate abused animals that have been rescued from exploitation, as well as provide shelter for sick or orphaned wild elephants. You can also come and see some elephant species in the wild by visiting Africa or Asia.

The aim of Save the Elephant Day is to raise awareness for all human by spending time on learning more about elephants, then actively spreading knowledge to others. In addition, you can share some useful information on social media and show your opinion and support for the elephant as well through organizing events and taking part in activities.

There are many ways you can help raise money for elephant conservation. How about a themed cupcake sale or a 'pin the head of an elephant's tail' contest? Why not try auctioning off some elephant art or other memorabilia? Or you can organize an 'elephant walk' and compete to see who can go the furthest! Whatever way you choose to celebrate this day, don't forget to share this important day with your friends, neighbors and colleagues and save the elephants together!