It is dedicated to the preservation and protection of the world’s elephants
Read moreElephants are classified into three species: African Forest, African Savanna (bush), and Asian. The animals are distinguished by their ears and trunks. African elephants are larger. Their ears are also larger and shaped like Africa.
World Elephant Day is celebrated every year on August 12, with the aim to acknowledge Elephants’ significance in our ecosystem.
It emphasizes raising awareness of the threats that elephants face in their daily lives.
Every factor contributes to animal abuse, whether it is poaching, mistreatment in captivity, or habitat loss. Some African elephants are born with no tusks. Scientists say it is an evolutionary result of animals’ brutal poaching and killing. The result is a mutation in the genes to survive in the face of poaching—an example of the evolutionary consequences of wildlife exploitation.
What is the importance of Celebrating Elephant Day?
Elephants are revered in many cultures and are critical to the survival of the ecosystem. Elephants promote biodiversity as well. They are a highly intelligent species with the largest brain of any land animal.
Over the last 75 years, the elephant population has shrunk by half.
According to current population estimates, there are approximately 50,000-60000 Asian elephants in the world. More than 60% of the population is held in India.
The campaign World Elephant Day was initiated in 2012 to bring awareness to the disturbing situations of African and Asian elephants. The aim of this campaign is to create a sustainable environment where animals are not exploited and taken care of.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species:
- African Forest Elephant- Critically Endangered
- African Savanna Elephant- Endangered
- Asian Elephant- Endangered
Source: euronews