World Elephant Day

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World Elephant Day
Kissing Elephants.JPG
Elephants
Date(s)August 12
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s)Worldwide
Established12 August 2012 (2012-08-12)
FounderPatricia Sims and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation
Website worldelephantday.org
World Elephant Day 2018 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 2018

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. [1] 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 [2] and many individuals in countries across the globe. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Contents

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. [10] [11] One conservationist has stated that both African and Asian elephants face extinction within twelve years. [12] 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. [13]

History

Indian Minister of State for Tourism Alphons Kannanthanam speaking at a World Elephant Day celebration in New Delhi on August 13, 2018 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
Indian Minister of State for Tourism Alphons Kannanthanam 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. [14] [15] [16] The film Return to the Forest, narrated by William Shatner, is about the reintroduction of captive Asian elephants to the wild [17] [18] and was released on the inaugural World Elephant Day. [19] 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, [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] 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. [25] [26] Another iconic Kenyan elephant, Mountain Bull, was also killed by poachers, and with the street value for ivory now exceeding that of gold, [27] [28] African elephants face a poaching epidemic. [29] [30] 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. [31] [32] [33] 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. [34] [35] The fragmentation of habitat also creates isolation – this makes breeding more difficult, and allows poachers to find the elephants and set traps more easily. [36] 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. [37] Incidents include crop damage and economic losses, as well as both elephant and human casualties. [38]

Mistreatment in captivity

A lack of legislation regarding the care and treatment of elephants in zoos, circuses, and tourism often leads to their mistreatment. [39] [40] [41] 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. [42] [43]

Celebrity voices

Many notable celebrities have spoken out about the urgency of elephant protection, including Leonardo DiCaprio, [44] Kristin Davis, [45] William Shatner, [46] Yao Ming, [47] Prince William, [48] Jorja Fox, [49] Alec Baldwin, [50] Stephen Fry, [51] Ashley Judd, [52] Jada Pinkett Smith, [53] Kathryn Bigelow, [54] and politicians such as Barack Obama, [55] and Hillary and Chelsea Clinton. [56] [57]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivory</span> Material derived from the tusks and teeth of animals

Ivory is a hard, white material from the tusks and teeth of animals, that consists mainly of dentine, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks. The chemical structure of the teeth and tusks of mammals is the same, regardless of the species of origin, but ivory contains structures of mineralised collagen. The trade in certain teeth and tusks other than elephant is well established and widespread; therefore, "ivory" can correctly be used to describe any mammalian teeth or tusks of commercial interest which are large enough to be carved or scrimshawed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poaching</span> Illegal hunting of wildlife

Poaching is the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, usually associated with land use rights. Poaching was once performed by impoverished peasants for subsistence purposes and to supplement meager diets. It was set against the hunting privileges of nobility and territorial rulers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garamba National Park</span> National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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The 2006 Zakouma elephant slaughter refers to a series of poaching massacres of African elephants in the vicinity of Zakouma National Park in southeastern Chad. These killings were documented in aerial surveys conducted from May through August 2006 and total at least 100 animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife trade</span> Worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of wildlife

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Rhino Foundation</span> Texas-based charity

The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) is a Texas-based charity focused on the conservation of the five species of rhinoceros which include the White Rhinoceros and Black Rhinoceros of Africa, and the Indian Rhinoceros, Javan Rhinoceros and Sumatran Rhinoceros of Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iain Douglas-Hamilton</span> British zoologist

Dr. Iain Douglas-HamiltonCBE is a Scottish zoologist from Oxford University and one of the world's foremost authorities on the African elephant. Douglas-Hamilton pioneered the first in-depth scientific study of elephant social behaviour in Tanzania's Lake Manyara National Park, aged 23. His work in the 1960s paved the way for much of today’s understanding of elephants and current conservation practices. During the 1970s he investigated the status of elephants throughout Africa and was the first to alert the world to the ivory poaching holocaust, bringing about the first global ivory trade ban in 1989. In 1993, Douglas-Hamilton founded Save the Elephants, which is dedicated to securing a future for elephants and their habitats. For his work on elephants he was awarded two of conservation's highest awards - the Order of the Golden Ark in 1988, the Order of the British Empire in 1992, and the Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2015. In 2010, he was named the recipient of the Indianapolis Prize, the world's leading award for animal conservation. In May 2012, Douglas-Hamilton spoke at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Ivory and Insecurity: The Global Implications of Poaching in Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife smuggling</span> Illegal gathering, transport and distribution of wild animals

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Esmond Bradley Martin was an American conservationist who fought for both the preservation of elephants against the illegal ivory trade, and for the rhinoceros against the illegal trade of rhinoceros horns. A trained geographer, Martin was considered a world-renowned expert in the ivory trade and rhinoceros horn trade. He had been a special envoy of the United Nations for the conservation of rhinoceros. Militant for a reduction in the demand for ivory to dry up the market, he participated notably in the stop of rhinoceros horn trade to China in 1993 and ivory in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivory trade</span> Commercial, often illegal, trade of animal ivory

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elephant hunting in Kenya</span>

Elephant hunting, which used to be an accepted activity in Kenya, was banned in 1973, as was the ivory trade. Poaching continues, as there is still international demand for elephant tusks. Kenya pioneered the destruction of ivory as a way to combat this black market. Elephant poaching continues to pose a threat to the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elephant hunting in Chad</span>

Elephant hunting or elephant poaching and exploitation of the ivory trade are illegal in Chad and pose a major threat to elephant populations. The profitable ivory industry is also a threat to the lives of rangers, even in the national parks, such as Zakouma National Park, the worst-affected area.

Care for the Wild International is an animal charity, a non-governmental organization established in 1984 and based in the United Kingdom. It supports wildlife projects and it campaigns on animal rights issues in Britain and around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satao (elephant)</span> Large African elephant in Kenya

Satao was one of Kenya's largest African elephants. He was known as a tusker because his tusks were so long that they almost touched the ground. The Tsavo Trust announced that Satao was killed by poachers using a poisoned arrow on 30 May 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tsavo Trust</span>

The Tsavo Trust is a non-profit wildlife conservation organisation, which covers Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, and Chyulu Hills National Park in Kenya. The trust was founded by Nzioki Wa Makau and Richard Moller who is chief executive officer and an experienced bush pilot. The started aim of the trust is the protection of wildlife, especially African elephants, and the reduction of the ivory trade. In June 2014, the Tsavo Trust came into the international spotlight when it announced the death of Kenya's iconic and most well-known elephant, Satao, killed by an ivory poacher with a poisoned arrow.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Destruction of ivory</span> Used to deter the poaching of elephants

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife smuggling in southern Africa</span>

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References

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  2. "Associates", World Elephant Day website
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  11. "Elephas maximus (Asian elephant, Indian elephant)", IUCN
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  13. "Status of Elephant Populations, Levels of Illegal Killing and the Trade in Ivory: A Report to the Standing Committee of CITES", CITES
  14. "Overview", World Elephant Day website
  15. Maria Sowter, "World Elephant Day This Sunday", Into The Wild, 2012
  16. "World Elephant Day 2012", The Huffington Post, 2012
  17. "Elephants Return to the Forest", American Museum of Natural History
  18. "Elephant Reintroduction Foundation", Elephant Reintroduction Foundation website
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  22. Per Liljas, "The Ivory Trade Is Out of Control, and China Needs to Do More to Stop It", Time Magazine, 2013
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  26. Mfonobong Nsehe, "World Famous Elephant 'Satao' Killed By Poachers In Kenya", Forbes, 2014
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  29. Brian Jackman, "Poaching in Africa: Selous Game Reserve warning highlights scale of epidemic", Telegraph, 2014
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