“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, Editor of Vanity Fair

The
escalation of poaching, habitat loss, human-elephant conflict and
mistreatment in captivity are just some of the threats to both African
and Asian elephants. Working towards better protection for wild
elephants, improving enforcement policies to prevent the illegal
poaching and trade of ivory, conserving elephant habitats, better
treatment for captive elephants and, when appropriate, reintroducing
captive elephants into natural, protected sanctuaries are the goals that
numerous elephant conservation organizations are focusing on around the
world.

World Elephant Day asks you to experience elephants in
non-exploitive and sustainable environments where elephants can thrive
under care and protection. On World Elephant Day, August 12, express
your concern, share your knowledge and support solutions for the better
care of captive and wild elephants alike.

“Elephants are simply
one more natural resource that is being caught up in human greed on the
one hand and human need on the other.  We somehow need people to become
reacquainted with nature or they can have no clue as to the
interrelatedness of cause and effect.” ~Dr. Stephen Blake, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology