Elephants are known for their incredible memory -- humans, on the other hand, rarely take the time to remember them. But elephants desperately need our attention. These animals are facing dire situations in the wild that are too often ignored.
Over the last decade, elephant populations have dropped more than 60% worldwide. It’s estimated that around 100 African elephants are illegally killed every day by poachers seeking ivory, meat and body parts. Due to the demand, only about 400,000 African elephants remain alive today. But Asian elephants are even more rare, with less than 40,000 remaining worldwide.
Wednesday is World Elephant Day, created to prompt the action and awareness needed to support global elephant populations.
These photos prove just why elephants are worth remembering, far beyond a single holiday.
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While taking time to remember the needs of the world’s elephants is necessary, it's also important to take action. Check out these five organizations working to aid elephants and improve the future of wildlife.
The World Wildlife Fund doesn’t just allow you to donate to its conservation efforts -- it gives you the ability to choose where your money goes. Whether you want to spend a few dollars feeding an elephant or you want to "adopt" one, WWF allows complete control over how you benefit elephants in the wild.
2. International Elephant Foundation
The International Elephant Foundation supports conservation, research and education for the world’s elephants, connecting people and elephants through what it describes as a “mutually beneficial relationship” and a strong, sustainable future for the species.
3. 96 Elephants
Deriving its name from the estimated 96 African elephants that are killed every day by poachers, this organization, started by the Wildlife Conservation Society, spreads awareness about ivory poaching through education and direct programs in Africa.
Save the Elephants, a well-known elephant conservation and education organization, works to solve human-elephant conflict, such as hunting and poaching. The organization operates on three pillars -- protection, research and awareness -- by working within Africa to serve elephant populations in the region.
5. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
The largest natural habitat refuge for elephants in the U.S., the Elephant Sanctuary directly cares for both African and Asian elephants. Donations fund the habitat’s efforts to care for captive elephants and raising awareness of the crisis facing elephants in the wild.