The World Elephant Day is observed every year on August 12 to create awareness of urgent plight of African and Asian elephants.

• It also seeks to share knowledge and positive solutions for better care and management of captive and wild elephants. In India, cultural event Gaj Mahotsav was organised by Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on this occasion of this day.
• The first International Elephant Day was held on August 12, 2012.
• Since then observed annually and is dedicated to preservation and protection of the world’s elephants. African elephants are listed as Vulnerable and Asian elephants as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.