Elephants are hard to miss. They are the largest land animals on Earth, but their size is only one part of what makes them special. They are social, intelligent and curious animals that live in close family groups. They care for their young, communicate with one another and can travel long distances in search of food and water. Their trunks can pick up tiny objects, pull down branches and spray water on hot days. Their large ears help them stay cool, while their strong memories help them find familiar paths and water sources.
Every year on 12 August, World Elephant Day gives us a reason to celebrate these remarkable animals. It is also a chance to learn more about elephants and the role they play in nature. Elephants have shaped landscapes for thousands of years and are closely connected to the cultures of many countries. They appear in stories, paintings, festivals and traditions around the world.
But elephants also need our attention. Their habitats are shrinking, illegal hunting remains a threat in some places, and they sometimes come into conflict with people. World Elephant Day is therefore both a celebration and a reminder. It encourages people to appreciate elephants while thinking about how we can give them a safer future.
More than just big animals
There is a lot to admire about elephants. They are known for their intelligence and strong social bonds. Elephant families are usually led by an older female, known as a matriarch. She can help guide the group to food and water, drawing on years of experience.
“I loved seeing elephants on safari at Yala,” Shaveen Haran, 29, told The Daily Morning Brunch. “They are fascinating.”
Young elephants stay close to their mothers and other family members as they grow. They spend their early years learning how to find food, communicate and move around their surroundings.
Elephants also have an impressive range of sounds. Some can be heard easily, while others are low-frequency calls that can travel over long distances. Their body language matters too. A raised trunk, flapping ears or a gentle touch can all send a message.
And then there is the trunk. It is used for eating, drinking, smelling, touching and even greeting other elephants. For a young elephant, learning to control such a long and flexible nose is clearly a work in progress.
The gardeners of the wild
Elephants are important to the places where they live. As they move through forests and grasslands, they help shape their surroundings.
They eat a wide variety of plants and can spread seeds over long distances. Some seeds pass through their digestive systems and are later left behind in dung, giving new plants a chance to grow.
“They have big bodies so they need a lot of food and their digestive system is not as efficient,” Professor of Zoology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Colombo Devaka Kirthi Weerakoon, said at a lecture held in May at the University of Colombo premises.
Their movements can also open up parts of forests and create paths used by other animals. In this way, elephants help create and maintain habitats for many other species.
This is one reason elephants are often described as ecosystem engineers. Their everyday activities can have a big effect on the natural world around them.
Living alongside people
As human settlements, farms and roads expand, elephants can sometimes find themselves moving through areas where people live and grow crops. This can lead to damaged crops or property, while people may feel threatened by elephants.
“The escalating human-elephant conflict is a tragedy for both humans and people, claiming the lives of hundreds of elephants and far too many humans every year,” environmentalist Srilal Mithrapala said.
Conservation groups and local communities work in different ways to reduce these encounters, including protecting elephant habitats and movement routes and developing safer ways for people and elephants to share the landscape.
“Unless we address its fundamental causes, shrinking and fragmented habitats, disruption of traditional elephant ranges and pathways, inappropriate development and weak enforcement, the situation will only deteriorate,” Mithrapala said.
A long history with people
Elephants have been part of human culture for centuries. In many parts of Sri Lanka , they have played important roles in history, art and traditions.
They are also familiar figures in books, films and children's stories. Their gentle appearance and unusual personalities have made them favourites with people of all ages.
“I loved hearing about historical stories of elephants in battle and seeing them in local art,” Amanda Silva,26, said.
For many people, seeing an elephant in the wild is a memorable experience. There is something special about watching a herd quietly cross a grassland or seeing a young elephant play in the water.
How we can help
Protecting elephants is a job for governments, conservation groups, scientists and local communities but ordinary people can play a part too.
One simple step is to learn more about elephants and the challenges they face. People who visit wildlife parks or go on safari can choose responsible operators that put animal welfare first.
“I have seen people trying to chase away elephants in their natural habitats,” Navodya Silva, 24, said. “I feel really sad because nature is their home too.”
Supporting genuine conservation efforts can also help protect elephant habitats. Avoiding products made from illegal wildlife materials is another important step.
Most importantly, people can remember that wild elephants belong in the wild. They do not need to perform tricks, pose for photographs or entertain crowds to be worth protecting.
A reason to celebrate
World Elephant Day is a good excuse to stop and appreciate these extraordinary animals. They are intelligent, social and important to the ecosystems they call home.
It is also a reminder that conservation does not always have to be complicated. Elephants need space to roam, places to find food and water and safe habitats where their families can grow.