World Elephant Day Rallies Communities to Conservation Efforts
August 16, 2023 – Communities around the globe joined forces to celebrate World Elephant Day on Monday, raising awareness about the struggles elephants face in the wild. On August 12, the day attracted international attention, with events and outreach campaigns aimed at protecting these threatened creatures.
At the Adventures with Elephants reserve in Bela Bela, South Africa, an annual event showcased a captivating sight: a herd of rescued elephants meandering through the reserve, cooling off by the water under the scorching summer sun. Sean Hensman, Managing Director of the reserve, emphasized that Elephant Day is not just a celebration, but also an opportunity to reflect on the bigger conservation picture. “Elephants are under severe pressure from a land perspective,” said Hensman. “Human populations are explosion-growing, and Africa is expected to see its population double to 3-4 billion by 2050, leaving less and less land for elephants.”
David Mupupu, an elephant handler at the reserve, underscored the gravity of the elephants’ plight. “If you look at Africa in 1920, we had an estimated 4 million elephants compared to just 400,000 now – a staggering 90 percent decline. We must take care of them.”
The World Elephant Day Society flags poaching and habitat destruction as grave threats to both African and Asian elephants. The organization is working diligently with conservation groups to develop effective solutions, including policy implementation. By joining forces, these experts hope to safeguard the habitats of these vital animals.
World Elephant Day was birthed in 2012 and has annually commemorated August 12 – a day dedicated to the protection, preservation, and celebration of these regal creatures.
