Today is World Elephant Day! I love these animals so much, and my heart breaks every time I think about the threats they are facing and the fact that they could disappear from the wild entirely in a matter of years. As the Wildlife Conservation Network’s website states:
“Elephants are among the world’s most intelligent, sensitive animals and possess both empathy and self‐awareness. They live in close family groups that are now being torn apart by a new wave of poaching that has swept across Africa due to a growing demand for ivory. More than 33,000 African elephants are killed each year.”
That’s around 2,750 elephants being killed each month, and more than 90 killed every day. But there are so many things each of us can do to put a stop to this. We can start by educating ourselves on this issue, not only about the threats to the animals themselves, but also about how their disappearance would affect the habitats they help keep balanced and how that in turn affects the human population. (You can start by reading more here).
If you’re ready to do more, you can also make a donation to help fund conservation efforts. There are several organizations dedicated to this cause, including the Elephant Crisis Fund which specifically targets ending the ivory trade. You can also purchase art prints from my Endangered Wildlife Collection and a portion of each sale will be donated to the Wildlife Conservation Network. Together we really can make a difference and ensure the survival of these incredible animals!
