Born on August 12
World Elephant Day
A big day for gentle giants.
Next: August 12, 2027
Where it comes from
World Elephant Day was dreamed up in 2011 by the Canadian filmmakers Patricia Sims and Michael Clark together with Sivaporn Dardarananda of Thailand's Elephant Reintroduction Foundation, which returns captive elephants to the forest.
How it's celebrated
About 100 elephant conservation groups around the world take part. Sanctuaries, zoos and wildlife groups hold talks and open days, schools learn about elephants, and people share what they know online.
Did you know
The Elephant Reintroduction Foundation has released more than 100 formerly captive elephants into three forest sanctuaries in Thailand, where calves have since been born in the wild.
Read the full story of World Elephant Day
Also on this day
- International Youth Day · Here's to the next generation.
Star sign
Leo · July 23 – August 22 · Fire sign
Warm, generous and made for the spotlight.