World Elephant Day
Image Credit: Marlin Clark
World Elephant Day, sometimes known as National elephant Day or even just Elephant Day, is the annual celebration for elephants.
The most widely accepted day for celebrating elephants is World Elephant Day on August 12th. The official website of the day is worldelephantday.org
Elephants are remarkable creatures - both intelligent and loyal to their herd.
Sadly they are also endangered animals, as they are hunted for their ivory, they suffer habitat loss and fragmentation driven by agriculture and urbanization, as well as human-wildlife conflict (where wild animals enter human habitations, usually to find food, and are met with violence from humans). In particular the African Forest Elephant is critically endangered.
How To Celebrate World Elephant Day
The best way to celebrate is learn something about these magnificent creatures, and understand why they are endangered. Some good sources of information about elephants are
- David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation David Shepard CBE was a renowned wildlife artist and conservationist. His elephant paintings are some of his most loved works.
- The World Wildlife Fund campaigns for many wild animals around the world. It's work for elephants includes strengthening anti-poaching initiatives and working to stop the illegal ivory trade.
- Save The Elephants is an organisation dedicated to securing a future for the species. Its principal research station is in Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya with another in Tsavo.
Here are some more ideas for World Elephant Day:-
- Take part in a World Elephant Day event. You can find events near you on the World Elephant Day website. Or hold your own event to celebrate elephants.
- Make a donation to a charity that supports elephants.
- Try some of these fun elephant-themed printables!
Elephant Printables
These elephant-themed printables are free to download and print off, perfect for World Elephant Day.
Grab your pens, pencils or paints and celebrate 12th August with this World Elephant Day Colouring Picture.
Have a go at one of these elephant themed printable wordsearches. There is an easy one for younger kids and this more challenging one for older kids and adults.
Elmer The Patchwork Elelphant
Elmer the Patchwork Elephant is the star of a series of much-loved children's books by Robert McKee. Elmer Day, usually held on the 4th Saturday in May, is a celebration of reading, of elephants and of accepting yourself and others, just like Elmer.
We have our own Elmer Day Wordsearch which is a free printable to download, and celebrate this colourful pachyderm.