Elephant Day 2021: World Elephant Day started on August 12, 2012 (File)
Watching the 1971 movie Haathi Mere Saathic can be a dip in nostalgia. But our love for elephants and awareness of their exploitation should go beyond just a Hindi film. World Elephant Day, celebrated on August 12 every year, is a way to recognize the importance of the animal in our ecosystem and focus on their conservation and protection. The first World Elephant Day was launched on August 12, 2012 to highlight the plight of Asian and African elephants. Poaching, habitat loss, conflict with humans, and abuse in captivity are just some of the threats to African and Asian elephants.
History
World Elephant Day began on August 12, 2012, when the Thailand-based Elephant Reintroduction Foundation teamed up with Canadian filmmaker Patricia Sims. This is not just any day, but a movement in itself. Since 2012, Mrs. Sims has been leading World Elephant Day. The World Elephant Society, of which she is the founder, administers World Elephant Day. Ms Sims’ charitable organization has reached many people over the years by educating them about the plight of elephants and raising awareness.
Meaning
The World Elephant Day website suggests that the purpose of this day is to bring together aid and support for elephants. This day aims to spread awareness about the threats elephants face from exploitation and poaching. The goal is to look for solutions to help elephants survive in a better way.
Ms Sims is quoted on the website as saying: “World Elephant Day is a call for people to support organizations working to end the illegal poaching and trade of elephant ivory and other wildlife products, protect the habitat of wild elephants and create reserves and alternative habitats for domesticated elephants to live freely.”
While World Elephant Society partners with 100 elephant conservation organizations, it also calls on individuals and organizations to celebrate the day with their own events around the world.
