World Elephant Day: History, Importance and Significance

World Elephant Day is celebrated across the world today. What are its history, importance, and significance globally? Read this article to know everything about World Elephant Day

Every year on August 12, World Elephant Day is observed with an aim to acknowledge Elephants’ significance in our ecosystem. The day underlines the awareness of the threats that elephants face in their daily lives. Whether poaching, mistreatment in captivity, or habitat loss, every single factor plays a role in animal abuse.

Elephants are considered sacred in many cultures and are essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Thus, it is essential to understand their significance and take steps to protect them at all costs. The campaign World Elephant Day was initiated in 2012 to bring awareness to the disturbing situations of African and Asian elephants.

Also read | India home to about 60% of Asian elephants: PM Modi on World Elephant Day

In short, the objective is to create a sustainable environment where animals are not exploited and taken care of. Social media has been a key tool and is crucial for the success of this campaign.

World Elephant Day: What is the history behind World Elephant Day?

World Elephant Day was launched on August 12, 2012, to bring attention to the situation of African and Asian elephants. It was first observed by Canadian filmmakers Michael Clark and Patricia Sims with the Thailand-based Elephant Reintroduction Foundation.

In 2012, Patricia Sims founded an organization called the World Elephant Society. Her organization has succeeded to create awareness about the dangers confronted by the elephants and the inevitability to protect them globally.

World Elephant Day: What is the significance of the World Elephant Day celebration?

World Elephant Day is commemorated to create awareness about the potential dangers faced by the elephants. According to National Geographic, the elephant population has reduced by 50 percent over the past 75 years. According to the reports, there is an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 Asian elephants left.

Elephants are essential as they help in sustaining the ecosystems of other species. The major decline in elephants’ population can weaken the structure of nature.

World Elephant Day: What are some important facts about Elephants?
 

1. Elephants have a thick skin of 2.5 –centimeters or more.
2. Elephants are generally constantly eating.
3. They can spend up to 75 percent of the day just eating.
4. Baby elephants can stand within 20 minutes of their birth, while they can start walking within an hour.
5. Elephant’s temporal lobe is associated with memory and is larger and denser than humans. Thus, they never forget.
6. There are around 4.15 lakh African elephants life in the wild.
7. African elephants are larger than Asian elephants. Their ears are also larger and are shaped like the African continent.
8. Wild elephants can live till 60-70 years of age.
9. Elephants are expressive and are adept at showing emotions like empathy, grief, and compassion.
10. Elephants pick up seismic vibrations by their feet to communicate with each other.