World Elephant Day 2020

World Elephant Day was created in 2011 as a day to honor elephants, spread awareness about the critical threats they are facing, and support positive solutions that will help ensure their survival.

We’ve done a post every year, but it’s a little strange to think about what World Elephant Day means in a COVID world. More than ever before in our lifetimes, humans are being reminded that this is a global world. Everything is connected, and we are all in this together. Each individual’s choices have a ripple effect on the planet, in ways that we don’t always know or understand.

In response to articles, current events, and specific elephants, we frequently get asked, “What can I do to help?” People also send us news stories or respond to our tweets, saying, “Can’t you do something? Isn’t there something you can do to help?” We understand that people want a simple answer, but there’s never an easy answer. If there were an easy answer, it wouldn’t still be a question.

As humans, we destroy a lot of the world and creatures around us. There are nicer ways we could say it, but using “nice” words doesn’t change the facts. We destroy the rainforests, the savannahs, the icecaps, the habitats of elephants, the habitats of so many creatures. It’s easy to feel hopeless.

But we shouldn’t. If each choice we make can negatively affect the world, then each decision can also positively impact the world.

The elephants certainly don’t feel hopeless. Our elephant residents have lived through some truly horrific traumas, yet they still greet their friends and their days with smiles and happy ear flaps.

Maia, Rana, Lady, and Mara are all unique individuals, but they aren’t unique to their species. Every elephant in every zoo, temple, and circus has an individual personality that can’t shine in their small enclosures and limited lives. Each captive elephant has the same potential if given the space for healing and the respect they deserve. Every wild elephant is just as special as each of our girls. Each one deserves to remain in their family unit and live the lives they are born into, safe from poachers and habitat encroachment, free of human-elephant conflict.

There’s no easy answer, but we believe one of the best tools available is education. We are grateful to have such a large platform to educate and to share stories and experiences but don’t forget that each of you has a platform too. You have your voice. So often, people just don’t know the reality of the lives of elephants. Never stop talking about, sharing, and fighting for elephants who need a better or safer life. ❤️

In the words of Dr. Seuss, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

So, thank you. Thank you for caring, for listening, for spreading awareness, for loving elephants.

(photo of Mara)

August 12, 2020

Comments(14)

Heidi says
August 12, 2020 at 4:15 pm
Beautiful and inspiring post. Thank you!
Nishant Bhajaria says
August 12, 2020 at 4:24 pm
“If there were an easy answer, it wouldn’t still be a question.” How true.
Tracy H says
August 12, 2020 at 4:36 pm
Happy Elephant Day to each and everyone one making it possible to celebrate this day. Love all your post regarding these 4 magnificent creatures. Love them so much and they deserve to be celebrated. Thanks again for sharing them with us
Paula says
August 12, 2020 at 4:39 pm
Feliz Día del Elefante!???
Muchas gracias a Scott, Kat y su equipo por rescatar a tantos elefantes y por compartir su misión con los demás!
Sigamos honrando la vida de estas majestuosas criaturas, ayudando de la manera que cada uno pueda hacerlo.
Nuestra motivación es imparable!❤
Debbie Sides says
August 12, 2020 at 5:55 pm
We can each do our part and make a difference and change for the better.
Lila says
August 12, 2020 at 6:23 pm
So true. As always, such an eloquent, warm post. Love!!!
Sallie says
August 12, 2020 at 7:35 pm
Beautiful Words, and so well written right down to the very Core of the Truth! I will keep this posting and read it repeatedly to myself, to remind me that I am not alone in speaking out for elephants – and all suffering wildlife. Sometimes you wonder, can we all take on the world of elephants? I think we can, one step at a time. and I am trying my best – as many of us are, every day to share information, make a small donation or write commentary and Tweet. And of course, there are all those dang blasted zoos . . .
Philippe Vezina says
August 12, 2020 at 8:06 pm
Thank you for saying it so eloquently on World Elephant Day. My heart will always be open for all elephants and the people like you who save them and care for them, you are true heroes and heroines.
I learned of a quote in recent days from one of my other heroines, Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick D.B.E (yes THAT Daphne Sheldrick, may she rest in peace, from The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya). She hit the nail on the head when she said, “All life has just one home, the earth, and we as the dominant species must take care of it”.
How true in your blog post today when you say, “As humans, we destroy a lot of the world and creatures around us”. There are indeed many times I am ashamed to be a human. And then I see people like you all at GSE/ESB and I know there is good happening in the world, you just have to know where to look for it. And I know that things will get better if we can all stay focused on positivity instead of negativity. “One way or another, this darkness got to give”.
Happy World Elephant Day everyone!
Sherry says
August 12, 2020 at 8:53 pm
Yes, It is World Elephant Day to remind us all to take care of God’s creatures!❤️?
Bo says
August 13, 2020 at 12:17 am
Caring about something is already a big step I think, then to help, in any way you can, is another step.
Every small step might be a big step forward in a positive way to help animals, nature,…even though, yes, often, it doesn’t feel like it.
Awareness, education is indeed so important because a lot of people just don’t realise that damage is being done, that an animal is suffering, hurting, that nature is suffering,…
It is not always because they are mean bad people, at least I hope not, I think often, they just don’t realise it so, yes, awareness and educating is indeed mighty important.
Mmmhh for elephant lovers, hihi, every day&night is elephant time! 🙂
Wim says
August 13, 2020 at 3:23 am
Thank you sincerely for your emotional plead to all endangered and captivated Elephants and wildlife on World Elephants Day. While the Climate Change destruction goes fast forward there is no more beautiful task than protecting and saving all other creatures who are daily in grave peril.
Fighting for every Lady, Rana, Maia and Mara on our planet is a hard but inescapable task.
??????
Jean-Jacques Rosa says
August 13, 2020 at 3:33 am
Many thanks for giving us reasons for hope. Great post indeed!
Rosie P says
August 13, 2020 at 4:19 am
Such an inspiring blog. We have to be the change we want in the world. To the end of my days I will speak out for the voiceless. Together we can make that change.
Julia Mercedes Eden says
August 13, 2020 at 5:29 am
Beautiful post as ever from GSE, Brazil and heartfelt comments which I can’t outdo. Suffice to say a mammoth thank you from your 4 ladies of Brazil to you on their behalf – trumpets and rumbles from Maia, Rana, Lady and Mara to all of you for loving them, caring for them and showing them such understanding. I’m also frequently embarrassed to be part of this inhumane race ?????

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