On August 12, we celebrated World Elephant Day. This is a day of reflection, consideration, and awareness. It should not surprise anyone to know that the Elephant population around the world is in extreme danger of extension.
Elephants are referred to as gentle giants with an incredible amount of intelligence. They enjoy snacking on fruits, taking mud baths, playing in water, and napping in the shade. Much like humans, they are family oriented and express emotions. They celebrate the new coming of a baby, they travel in herds to keep each other safe, they have a hierarchy of command starting with the eldest, and they mourn the loss of a relative.
There are currently 6 different breeds of elephants. As seen in the image below found on 6 Fascinating Types of Elephants (Photos and More) - Outforia, there are two types of African Elephants and four types of Asian Elephants.
Regardless of their locations, they are all under the same threat. Extinction!
These gentle giants are endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. One might feel pained at the words habitat loss, but the word poaching only instills anger. The ivory trade is one that is being outlawed in many countries in the efforts of saving these prehistoric creators.
The human race cannot permit any of these threats to continue. We must fight back in any and every way we can. Just because we don't live in Africa or Asia doesn't mean we don't care, right?!
We want elephants to remain on this earth till kingdom come so that our children's great grandchildren (& beyond) can marvel at these majestic beings. So how can we help when we are not even there? We can't physically put out forest fires or imprison poachers, but we can send aid virtually, show our support and continue to spread awareness.
Let's start with staying educated and up-to-date with the illegal trade of Ivory. By subscribing to newsletters and sending donations to TRAFFIC | Ivory Trade, you are helping those who are trying to put an end to poaching for good. Another website that is dedicating to Antipoaching is The Ivory Trade | Elephant Crisis Fund where you can also subscribe to newsletters and make donations. Needless to say, you must avoid purchasing ivory products of any kind and discourage others to avoid doing so as well.
X If you buy it, you support it, therefore making you a part of the problem X
For more options, you may also subscribe to newsletters from Take Action | iworry campaign (sheldrickwildlifetrust.org) who have very in-depth updates about the current status of the elephant population and accept donations. IWorry has partnered with Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an organization dedicated to helping elephants. They help protect elephants in the wild with their watchful rangers which are on the lookout for poachers. Additionally, they help rescue orphan elephants by giving them a safe shelter, nourishment, community, and love until they are strong enough to be released back into the wild. This organization cannot survive without the continues help of their supporters and donators. On Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Haven for Elephants & Rhinos, one can make a one time donation or monthly donations. The option to Adopt an Orphan Elephant (or rhino) is also a very gratifying way of helping. More so, you can get involved by starting a fundraiser or even becoming a partner. And if that wasn't enough, they have a retail shop that donates 100% of the proceeds to the cause. It's full of t-shirts, totes, plushies, and more at Full SWT USA Collection – Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA.
Love the idea of adopting an orphan elephant? You can also do so at WWF - Endangered Species Conservation | World Wildlife Fund, an organization dedicated to saving all species. In the continuous efforts to save the elephants, they also accept donations, offer adoptions, and have retail items that support the cause at World Wildlife Fund | WWF Gift Center.
Last, but definitely not least, we have Save the Elephants, an organization that is dedicated to educating the public about the importance of elephants, educating children, and preserving the Elephant species as well as their habitat. One can subscribe to their newsletter, make direct donations, or purchase a retail item that contributes to funding the cause at Save The Elephants (teemill.com). Save the Elephants has a couple of very popular partners that help with continues donations; one of them being Ivory Ella® Official Site - Elephant Clothing & More For A Cause. Up to 50% of net profits are donated to Save The Elephants and other charitable causes. Their retail items are fun, colorful, and for everyone in the family.
If you are more of a visual movie person, then I recommend watching these two films that are currently on Netflix.
- The Ivory Game: filmmakers infiltrate the corrupt global network of ivory trafficking.
- Holiday in the Wild: Kate leaves the big city solo to an African get away where she finds her true purpose.
In conclusion, there are a multitude of ways that one can help the cause and continue to protect Elephants everywhere. Don't just actively read this article and forget all about it tomorrow. That's not helpful to anyone! Be proactive! Subscribe to the organizations mentioned, make a donation, spread awareness. Sharing this post is a great way to spread awareness, but also talking to people about what you've learned here today. Remember that the action you don't take is one step closer to losing Elephants forever. Extinction is forever! Let's keep fighting for them. We don't want to say good-bye.
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