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Save the Elephant Day

Animal · April 16

A day for learning about elephants, the largest land animals, and supporting the work that helps wild elephants and their habitats survive.

Save the Elephant Day falls on Friday, April 16, 2027. That is 171 days away.

Elephants are the largest animals living on land, and they need a great deal of room to be themselves. Three species are generally recognized: the African savanna elephant, the African forest elephant and the Asian elephant. This day asks people to think about all of them and what keeps them safe in the wild.

Up close, an elephant is a collection of remarkable tools. The trunk is a fused nose and upper lip that can pick up a single fruit, pull down a branch or carry water to the mouth. Ears help with cooling. Tusks are elongated teeth, and the demand for ivory is one reason elephants have faced so much danger.

Elephants are social. Females and their young usually live in family groups led by an older female, while adult males tend to spend more time alone or in loose groups. They communicate with rumbles, some too low for people to hear, and they eat plants for much of the day.

The most useful thing most people can do from home is learn. Read about the threats elephants face, such as habitat loss and poaching, and look into conservation groups before giving them time or money. Accredited zoos and sanctuaries often explain their elephant care and field projects. In the wild, elephants should always be watched from a respectful distance, with a trained guide.

One pleasant fact to carry around: an elephant's trunk has no bones at all, only muscle.

Ways to celebrate

• Read about the three elephant species and how they differ.
• Watch a wildlife documentary about elephant family groups.
• Research an elephant conservation group before donating.
• Check that any ivory-like souvenir you see is not real ivory.
• Share a favorite elephant fact with a friend or child.

Dates

All national days on April 16

Also on April 16

• National Eggs Benedict Day
• National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day
• National Orchid Day
• National Bean Counters Day
• Day of the Mushroom
• National Librarian Day

Categories: Animal days