World Elephant Day

Marilyn Bridges, Elephants, Zambia (2013.111.15)

Yes, every day is a day, (and many days are many days). For example, there’s Croissant Day and Fun at Work Day (?) (January 30), Darwin Day (February 12), Imaging Technician’s Day (February 30), Pinhole Photography Day (the last Sunday in April), International Jazz Day (April 30), International Museum Day (May 18), World Turtle Day (May 23), National Doughnut Day (June 3), there’s even a New Jersey Day (June 24), Take Your Dog to Work Day (June 24 or 26), World UFO Day(s) (June 24 and July 2), National Ice Cream Day (July 19), Photography Day (August 19), National Honey Bee Day (third Saturday in August), Vesuvius Day (August 24), National Coffee Day (September 29), International Sloth Day (October 19th), World Chocolate Day (October 28), National Cat Day (October 29), and more… Nevertheless, few animals are more deserving of a day of awareness than elephants.

Arthur Rothstein, “With a 500mm telephoto lens, I caught this herd of elephants in a remote area of Kenya. Poaching and environmental hazards are making this a rare sight.” 1970 (216.1989) [45 years later, that’s even more tragic and true.]

“On August 12, 2012, the inaugural World Elephant Day was launched to bring attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African elephants. The elephant is loved, revered and respected by people and cultures around the world, yet we balance on the brink of seeing the last of this magnificent creature.”