World Elephant Day 2022 – History, Quotes, Facts and Celebration

Elephants represent intelligence, power and fluke according to the Chinese belief. In Hinduism, Elephant is marked as an ideogram of ‘God Ganesha’ the god of good luck and fortune. The World Elephant Day is observed and celebrated with an aim of creating positivity and awareness in the lives of the largest terrestrial animal. In the year 2012, the first World Elephant Day was acknowledged by Patricia Sims and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand coping with over hundreds of Elephant Conservation Organization around the globe. Since 2012, every year on August 12 the World Elephant Day has been celebrated all over the world. The prime purpose of celebrating World Elephant Day 2022 is to provide care and safeguard for the world’s elephant population and to protect them against illegal poaching and ivory trades.  Here this article World Elephant Day 2022 will give you realization about their history, evolution and environmental importance. Article also includes World Elephant Day quotes, facts and celebration.

History of World Elephant Day – August 12, 2022

Let us read more to know the history of World Elephant Day.

• In the year 2012, 12 August is observed as World Elephant Day. It was initiated by Canadian Patricia Sims along with the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand. As an edge of Thailand HM Queen Sirikit, by the time Patricia Sims has started proceeding World Elephant Day.
• Since its establishment of world awareness building, which collaborate with hundreds of elephant conservation organizations around the world and extends to innumerable individuals over the globe.
• The first ever World Elephant Day was announced on 12 August 2012. The film ‘Return to Forest’ by William Shatner is all about the reintroduction of the caged Asian elephants and was published on the same day of inauguration of World Elephant Day.

Threats to Elephants

Human actions are the main cause of threat to the life of elephants. Some of the major threats are discussed below,

• illegal poaching : this is the major threat where a large number of elephant species are destroyed every year for ivory. Mainly in China the increased demand for luxuries products leads to an increase in the ivory market (both African and Asian elephants). Recently the world’s largest elephant ‘Satao’ was killed for enigmatic tusks. Above this elephants are also poached for their meat, leather and for other body organs.

• Human-Elephant Conflict: it’s a very important concern, Deforestation increases highly with the increase of human population. Which forces the wild life mainly elephants in adjoining with the human community. Human-Elephant conflict results in crop damages, loss of economy etc.
• Habitat Loss: the human activities are increasing day by day in order to furnish their life. As a result of human activities like deforestation, mining, agricultural projects etc. lead to a great loss of habitat. Around 30-40% of Asian Elephants have lost their habitat, which is really hard for them to look after their family and lives.
• Maltreatment in captivity: captivity is a serious threat. Nowadays, there are lots of tourism centers, zoos, circuses etc. arranged for visitors. In some cases these tourists or the visitors fail in treating elephants. Asian elephants are often loaded into the lucrative tourism industry.

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Types of Elephants over the World

Listed below are the types of Elephants found around the world.

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Some Interesting Facts about Elephants

Check below few facts about elephants as we celebrate world elephant day.

• The African Elephant is the world’s largest terrestrial mammal which measures about 3 meter high and weighs up to 6 tons.
• Did you know? An elephant can give birth until the age of 50.
• The trunk of an elephant has around 150,000 units of muscles.
• Did you know? Elephants require about 150 kilograms of food per day.
• Comparatively elephants have poor digestion, with efficiency of 50%. As they produce around 250 pounds of muck and release large amounts of methane gas a day.
• Did you know? The lifespan of an elephant is around 60-70 years. As per the record ‘Lin Wang’ an Asian Elephant lived till the age of 86.
• The weight of an elephant tusk is about 22 pounds each worth up to $10,000 – $15,000 in Asia.
• Did you know? Elephants are afraid of Bees.
• Elephants can communicate through vibrations (seismic signals) which are detected through their bones.
• Did you know? In the past century, around 90% of African Elephants have been destroyed.
• The word ‘elephant’ is derived from the Greek word ‘elephas’ which means ivory.
• Research says ‘elephants never forget’. Elephant is an animal of wisdom with incredible memories.
• Did you know? Average weight of a baby elephant is 100 kg.

World Elephant Day Quotes 2022

Below mentioned are few quotes on world elephant day.

• “We admire elephants in part because they demonstrate what we consider the finest human traits: empathy, self-awareness, and social intelligence. But the way we treat them puts on display the very worst of human behavior.” -Graydon Carter
• “Save the elephants, and then you save the forest – and then you save yourself. “- Mark Shand
• “I hate to witness animals in captivity – or see circus elephants paraded down the streets. When animals are caged, it’s a loss of what they are.”-  K. A. Applegate
• “Nature’s great masterpiece, an elephant; the only harmless great thing.”- John Donne
• “have a memory like an elephant. I remember every elephant I’ve ever met.”- Herb Caen
• “An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.”- Martin Buber
• “Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”- Anatole France
• “I’ve never met an animal I didn’t like, and I can’t say the same thing about people.” – Doris Day

 Ways to Celebrate World Elephant Day 2022

 On August 12, World Elephant Day is celebrated. Here are few ways that you can add as a part of celebration.

• Educate people with the importance of elephants. Teach society to care and protect innocent animals.
• Stand against the act of exporting baby elephants.
• Share a post on social media regarding the problems faced by elephants and create awareness in the mind of the community.
• Let people know the reason why you love elephants?
• Take a pledge to support and protect elephants.
• Donation is the best thing you can do. Donate money to organizations that work to conserve and protect elephants.
• Go and visit conservation parks. Spend time by feeding elephants.
• Encourage the world to work together to support the conservation of these magnificent lives.

On august 12, World Elephant Day 2022, let’s work hand in hand to save the beautiful creature. Raise your voice against the matters frightening elephants. Celebrate World Elephant Day 2022 by showing some love and respect for them.