World Elephant Day | 13 Aug 2019
Every year World Elephant Day is observed on August 12 to spread worldwide awareness for the conservation and protection of elephants from the numerous threats they face.
- It was launched on August 12, 2012, to bring attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African elephants.
- Escalation of poaching, habitat loss, human-elephant conflict and mistreatment in captivity are some common threats to both African and Asian elephants.
Elephants
- There are three subspecies of Asian elephant – the Indian, Sumatran and Sri Lankan.
- The Indian has the widest range and accounts for the majority of the remaining elephants on the continent.
- African elephants are listed as “vulnerable” and Asian elephants as “endangered” in IUCN Red List of threatened species.
- The elephant has been accorded the highest possible protection under the Indian wildlife law through its listing under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Government of India has launched various initiatives for conservation of elephants.