We all can act in a multitude of ways, both locally and globally, to help protect elephants from the devastating impacts of poaching, the destruction of wilderness, the demand for ivory, human population growth and human-elephant conflict, and the social, economic, and environmental factors that fuel this tragic situation.
Take action, spread awareness, and share effective ways to help save and protect elephants, and support the many commendable elephant conservation initiatives.
What you can do:
There are many ways people can get involved to help elephants and raise awareness on World Elephant Day, and year-round.
- Support organizations that are working to: stop the illegal poaching and trade of elephant ivory and other wildlife products; protect wild elephant habitat; and provide sanctuaries and alternative habitats for domesticated elephants to live freely.
- If you wish to experience elephants in their natural environment, choose eco-tourism operators who support local elephant conservation projects and who treat elephants with respect and dignity.
- Support healthy, alternative, sustainable livelihoods for people who have traditionally relied on elephants, wild animals, and natural resources.
- Support orphaned elephants by fostering one whose parents have been killed by poachers.
- Learn about indigenous cultures that have traditionally lived in harmony with elephants.
- Be an elephant-aware consumer. Never buy ivory or other wildlife products.
- Support a U.S. national ban on the sale of ivory. Contact your representatives and write to your country's leaders, supporting national and local legislation to ban the sale of ivory.
- Do not support organizations that exploit or abuse elephants and other animals for entertainment and profit. Learn more here.
Get involved with World Elephant Day:
What organizations are doing on World Elephant Day:
About World Elephant Day and its founders:
World Elephant Day was launched by the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation (ERF), a charitable nonprofit organization based in Thailand, and Patricia Sims, president, producer, and director of CanazWest Pictures Inc., a Canadian-based independent film production company. The ERF was founded in 2002 as a Royal initiative of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand. The Elephant Reintroduction Foundation manages three forest sanctuaries in Thailand where, so far, 93 formerly captive elephants have been successfully released back into natural habitat. For more information about World Elephant Day, high-res photos or video clips, please contact Jean Shirk at firstname.lastname@example.org or 510-332-4195 or get more information here.