World Elephant Day

{{Short description|Annual event on August 12 dedicated to the preservation and protection of the world's elephants}}{{Infobox recurring event

| name = World Elephant Day

| logo =

| logo_caption =

| image = Kissing Elephants.JPG

| caption = Elephants

| date = August 12

| frequency = Annually

| location = Worldwide

| established = {{Start date|2012|8|12|df=y}}

| founder_name = Patricia Sims and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation

| website = {{URL|worldelephantday.org}}

}}

File:The Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu addressing the gathering on the occasion of the World Elephant Day 2018, in New Delhi on August 12, 2018 (1).JPG

World Elephant Day is an international annual event on August 12, dedicated to the preservation and protection of the world's elephants. Conceived in 2011 by Canadian filmmakers Patricia Sims and Michael Clark of Canazwest Pictures, and Sivaporn Dardarananda, Secretary-General of the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation in Thailand, it was officially founded, supported and launched by Patricia Sims and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation on August 12, 2012.[http://worldelephantday.org/about/elephant-reintroduction-foundation "Elephant Reintroduction Foundation"], World Elephant Day website Since that time, Patricia Sims continues to lead, support and direct World Elephant Day, which is now recognized and celebrated by over 100 wildlife organizations[https://worldelephantday.org/friends-of-world-elephant-day "Associates"], World Elephant Day website and many individuals in countries across the globe.Philip Mansbridge, [http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/philip-mansbridge/elephants-world-elephant-day_b_3739095.html "Is This Year's World Elephant Day the Last Chance for Elephants?"], The Huffington Post, 2013Raj Phukan, [http://www.assamtimes.org/node/8743 "World Elephant Day celebrated at Nagaon"], Assam Times, 2013Jennifer Viegas, [http://news.discovery.com/animals/endangered-species/elephants-get-help-from-unlikely-sources-is-it-enough-130812.htm "Elephants Get Unlikely Help -- But Is It Enough?"], Discovery News, 2013[http://www.chiangraitimes.com/world-elephant-day-thailand-must-shut-down-ivory-trade.html "World Elephant Day - Thailand Must Shut Down Ivory Trade"], Chiangrai Times, 2013[http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/12/12-years-until-elephants-are-all-wiped-out-as-one-dies-every-15-minutes-3919927/ "12 years until elephants are all wiped out as one dies every 15 minutes"], Metro, 2013Bettina Wassener, [http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/10/mourning-the-elephants/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1& "Mourning the Elephants"], The New York Times, 2012Fidelis E. Satriastanti, [http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/blogs/globe-beat/sumatran-elephants-still-face-imminent-threats/ "Sumatran Elephants Still Face Imminent Threats"], Jakarta Globe, 2013

Mission

The goal of World Elephant Day is to create awareness of the urgent plight of African and Asian elephants, and to share knowledge and positive solutions for the better care and management of captive and wild elephants. African elephants are listed as "Vulnerable" and Asian elephants as "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.[http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/12392/0 "Loxodonta Africana (African elephant)"], IUCN[http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/summary/7140/0 "Elephas maximus (Asian elephant, Indian elephant)"], IUCN One conservationist has stated that both African and Asian elephants face extinction within twelve years.John Ingham, [http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/421411/Elephants-extinct-within-12-years "Elephants 'extinct within 12 years'"], Express, 2013 The current population estimates are about 400,000 for African elephants and 40,000 for Asian elephants, although it has been argued that these numbers are much too high.[http://www.cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/sc/61/E61-44-02-A1.pdf "Status of Elephant Populations, Levels of Illegal Killing and the Trade in Ivory: A Report to the Standing Committee of CITES"], CITES

History

File:The Minister of State for Tourism (IC), Shri Alphons Kannanthanam addressing the gathering, at the Gaj Mahotsav, on the occasion of the World Elephant Day 2018 celebrations, in New Delhi on August 13, 2018.JPG speaking at a World Elephant Day celebration in New Delhi on August 13, 2018]]

The first World Elephant Day was held on August 12, 2012.[http://worldelephantday.org/about "Overview"], World Elephant Day websiteMaria Sowter, [http://blog.frontiergap.com/blog/2012/8/9/world-elephant-day-this-sunday.html "World Elephant Day This Sunday"], Into The Wild, 2012[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/12/world-elephant-day-2012-photos_n_1770187.html "World Elephant Day 2012"], The Huffington Post, 2012 The film Return to the Forest, narrated by William Shatner, is about the reintroduction of captive Asian elephants to the wild[http://www.amnh.org/explore/science-bulletins/bio/documentaries/wild-at-heart-the-plight-of-elephants-in-thailand/elephants-return-to-the-forest "Elephants Return to the Forest"], American Museum of Natural History[http://www.elephantreintroduction.org/ "Elephant Reintroduction Foundation"], Elephant Reintroduction Foundation website and was released on the inaugural World Elephant Day.[http://worldelephantday.org/about/return-to-the-forest "Return to the Forest"], World Elephant Day website The follow-up feature film When Elephants Were Young, also narrated by Shatner, depicts the life of a young man and young elephant in Thailand.

Issues

= Poaching =

The demand for ivory, which is highest in China,Damian Grammaticas, [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-26167893 "Uncovering China's illegal ivory trade"], BBC News, 2014Brendon Hong, [http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/06/30/china-s-blood-ivory-bazaar.html "China's Blood Ivory Bazaar"], The Daily Beast, 2014Per Liljas, [https://world.time.com/2013/11/01/the-ivory-trade-is-out-of-control-and-china-needs-to-do-more-to-stop-it/ "The Ivory Trade Is Out of Control, and China Needs to Do More to Stop It"], Time Magazine, 2013[http://www.therakyatpost.com/life/2014/06/14/ivory-demand-china-thailand-led-killing-20000-african-elephants-last-year/ "Ivory demand in China, Thailand led to killing of 20,000 African elephants last year"], The Rakyat Post, 2014Paula Kahumbu, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2013/mar/04/china-message-consumers-ivory-trade "China must send a clear message to consumers on ivory trade"], The Guardian, 2013 leads to the illegal poaching of both African and Asian elephants. For example, one of the world's largest elephants, Satao, was recently killed for his iconic tusks.Christine Dell'Amore, [https://web.archive.org/web/20140620075902/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/06/140616-elephants-tusker-satao-poachers-killed-animals-africa-science "Beloved African Elephant Killed for Ivory -- "Monumental" Loss"], National Geographic, 2014Mfonobong Nsehe, [https://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2014/06/15/world-famous-elephant-satao-killed-by-poachers-in-kenya/ "World Famous Elephant 'Satao' Killed By Poachers In Kenya"], Forbes, 2014 Another iconic Kenyan elephant, Mountain Bull, was also killed by poachers, and with the street value for ivory now exceeding that of gold,Zoe Flood, [http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/06/15/satao-one-of-africas-largest-elephants-killed-by-poachers-for-ivory-tusks-weighing-more-than-45-kg/ "Satao, one of Africa's largest elephants, killed by poachers for ivory tusks weighing more than 45 kg"], National Post, 2014Ed Mazza, [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/15/satao-the-elephant-killed_n_5497799.html "Satao The Elephant Killed By Poachers In Kenya"], The Huffington Post, 2014 African elephants face a poaching epidemic.Brian Jackman, [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/safariandwildlifeholidays/10927089/Poaching-in-Africa-Selous-Game-Reserve-warning-highlights-scale-of-epidemic.html "Poaching in Africa: Selous Game Reserve warning highlights scale of epidemic"], Telegraph, 2014Melissa Hellmann, [https://time.com/2953056/african-elephant-poaching-soars-as-ivory-prices-triple-in-china/ "African-Elephant Poaching Soars as Ivory Prices Triple in China"], Time Magazine, 2014 Elephants are also poached for meat, leather, and body parts, with the illegal wildlife trade putting elephants increasingly in danger, because it is perceived to be a low risk and high profit endeavor.[http://www.traffic.org/home/2012/12/12/illegal-wildlife-trade-threatens-national-security-says-wwf.html/ "Illegal wildlife trade threatens national security, says WWF report"], TRAFFIC, 2012Melissa Hellmann, [https://time.com/2953056/african-elephant-poaching-soars-as-ivory-prices-triple-in-china/ "African-Elephant Poaching Soars as Ivory Prices Triple in China"], Time Magazine, 2014Alex Hofford, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/21/-sp-endangered-species-on-sale-along-burmachina-border "Illegal wildlife trade along the Burma-China border - in pictures"], The Guardian, 2014 Poachers are often considered trained for this activity due to the amount of tools needed to be transported as well as the large size of these animals.

= Habitat loss =

The loss of habitat due to deforestation, increases in mining, and agricultural activities has become problematic, especially for Asian elephants.[http://www.amnh.org/explore/science-bulletins/bio/documentaries/wild-at-heart-the-plight-of-elephants-in-thailand/asian-elephants-threats-and-solutions "Asian Elephants: Threats and Solutions"], American Museum of Natural HistoryDave Armstrong, [http://www.earthtimes.org/nature/forest-loss-accelerates/2630/ "Forest loss accelerates"], The Earth Times, 2014 The fragmentation of habitat also creates isolation – this makes breeding more difficult, and allows poachers to find the elephants and set traps more easily.Kevin Heath, [http://wildlifenews.co.uk/2014/united-nations-launches-emergency-appeal-for-sumatran-elephants/ "United Nations launches emergency appeal for Sumatran elephants"], Wildlife News, 2014 Asian elephants have lost nearly 30-40% of their habitat, making it incredibly difficult to maintain their offspring and themselves.

= Human-elephant conflict =

Human-elephant conflict is a significant concern, as human populations increase and forest cover decreases, forcing elephants into close proximity with human settlements.Sanjay Gubbi, M.H. Swaminath, H.C. Poornesha, Rashmi Bhat, and R. Raghunath, [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10531-014-0621-x "An elephantine challenge: human-elephant conflict distribution in the largest Asian elephant population, southern India"], Biodiversity and Conservation, 2014 Incidents include crop damage and economic losses, as well as both elephant and human casualties.[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/5-jumbos-damage-crops-run-amuck-near-Soolagiri/articleshow/37109619.cms "5 jumbos damage crops, run amuck near Soolagiri"], The Times of India, 2014

= Mistreatment in captivity =

A lack of legislation regarding the care and treatment of elephants in zoos, circuses, and tourism often leads to their mistreatment.Sangita Iyer, [http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/sangita-iyer/animal-cruelty-elephants_b_4536577.html "Seeing the Mistreatment of Elephants in India Was Haunting"], Huffington Post, 2014[http://www.ibtimes.com/animal-rights-activists-says-elephants-forced-do-handstands-chinese-zoo-1620234 "Animal Rights Activists Say Elephants Forced To Do Handstands By Chinese Zoo"], International Business Times, 2014Ed Stewart, [https://web.archive.org/web/20130506111758/http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/05/03/no-ethical-way-to-keep-elephants-in-captivity/ "No Ethical Way to Keep Elephants in Captivity"], National Geographic, 2013 Captivity can be a serious threat to elephants, and Asian elephants are often illegally captured in the wild and trafficked into the lucrative tourism industry.Richard Thomas, [http://wildlifenews.co.uk/2014/thailand-must-act-to-prevent-resurgence-of-illegal-wild-elephant-trade/ "Thailand must act to prevent resurgence of illegal wild elephant trade"], Wildlife News, 2014Lindsay Murdoch, [http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/baby-elephants-captured-mistreated-to-supply-thailands-tourism-industry-20140709-zt0xw.html "Baby elephants captured, mistreated, to supply Thailand's tourism industry"], The Sydney Morning Herald, 2014

= Celebrity voices =

Many notable celebrities have spoken out about the urgency of elephant protection, including Leonardo DiCaprio,[http://wildnet.org/updates/leonardo-dicaprio-foundation-donates-1-million-elephant-crisis-fund "Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Donates $1 Million to Elephant Crisis Fund"], Wildlife Conservation Network, 2014 Kristin Davis,Susanna Rustin, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/oct/04/kristin-davis-elephant-ivory-blood-diamond "Kristin Davis: 'Ivory is basically a blood diamond'"], The Guardian, 2012 William Shatner,William Shatner, [https://twitter.com/WilliamShatner/status/234662922830348289 "World Elephant Day is Today"], Twitter, 2012 Yao Ming,Russell Flannery, [https://www.forbes.com/sites/russellflannery/2013/12/06/yao-ming-targets-elephant-poaching-ivory-trade-in-new-campaign-with-wildaid/ "Yao Ming Targets Elephant Poaching, Ivory Trade In New Campaign With WildAid"], Forbes, 2013 Prince William,Sarah Morrison, [https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/prince-william-wants-all-royal-ivory-destroyed-9131140.html "Prince William wants 'all royal ivory destroyed'"], The Independent, 2014 Jorja Fox,[http://www.ad-international.org/animal_rescues/go.php?id=2789&ssi=0 "Jorja Fox takes on the elephant abusers in new ADI video"], Animal Defenders International, 2012 Alec Baldwin,Michelle Kretzer, [http://www.peta.org/blog/alec-baldwin-usda-seize-elephants/ "Alec Baldwin to USDA: Seize the Elephants"], PETA, 2012 Stephen Fry,[http://www.elephantectivism.org/2013/12/stephen-frys-elephant-tweet.html "Stephen Fry's Elephant Tweet"], For Elephants International, 2013 Ashley Judd,Nigel M. Smith, [http://www.indiewire.com/article/watch-ashley-judd-speaks-up-for-the-elephants-in-the-eyes-of-thailand-trailer "Watch: Ashley Judd Speaks Up for the Elephants in 'The Eyes of Thailand' Trailer"], IndieWire, 2012 Jada Pinkett Smith,Jill Rosen, [https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/03/06/jada-pinkett-smith-urges-srb-to-protect-elephants/ "Jada Pinkett Smith urges SRB to protect elephants"], The Baltimore Sun, 2012 Kathryn Bigelow,{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/kathryn-bigelow-campaigns-to-stop-elephant-poaching-with-short-film-1201374103/|title=Kathryn Bigelow Campaigns to Stop Elephant Poaching with Short Film|date=8 December 2014}} and politicians such as Barack Obama,Melissa Mahony, [http://www.salon.com/2014/02/17/elephant_in_the_room_no_more_obama_bans_ivory_sales_partner/ "Elephant in the room no more: Obama bans ivory sales"], Salon, 2014 and Hillary and Chelsea Clinton.Rhett A. Butler, [http://news.mongabay.com/2014/0613-elephants-clinton-wcs-gala.html "Chelsea, Hillary Clinton urge action to save elephants"], mongabay.com, 2014Philip Mansbridge, [http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/philip-mansbridge/elephants-world-elephant-day_b_3739095.html "Is This Year's World Elephant Day the Last Chance for Elephants?"], The Huffington Post, 2013