On 12th August, World Elephant Day asks people to help conserve and protect elephants from the numerous threats they face.
The population of elephants is declining in Africa at a rapid rate due to poachers and habitat loss with the expansion of human settlements. Elephants for Africa are looking to raise awareness of their work with local communities in Botswana which helps elephants and humans live together in safe environments.
Dr Kate Evans runs the Makgadikgadi & Pans National Park in Botswana and said
"Much of our current work focuses on the coexistence humans and elephants who live side by side. One of the biggest threats to elephants is conflict with man. Being large herbivores, crops provide the perfect feeding ground, however, elephants can also come into conflict with man in other ways, destroying fences keeping livestock in, disrupting village life and the ability for people to go about their daily chores such as to fetch water or walk to school. Ashuman population increases throughout Africa, competition for land escalates and so elephants and humans are increasingly coming into contact."
Through education and practical information, the aim is to help the community understand how they can live together, in order to reduce harm and the extinction of the animals.
Find out how you can support World Elephant Day.
