World Elephant Day 2026 – 12 August

Aug 12, 2026

2 min read

VIVEK NALI

World Elephant Day is observed every year on August 12 to raise awareness about the conservation of Asian and African elephants and threats such as habitat loss, poaching, illegal wildlife trade and human-elephant conflict.
The observance was first launched on August 12, 2012.
The World Elephant Day platform carries the message “Bringing the world together to help elephants.”
India has a particularly important role in elephant conservation as it supports nearly 60% of the world’s wild Asian elephant population.
The latest Synchronous All India Population Estimation of Elephants (SAIEE) 2021–25, India’s first DNA-based nationwide elephant estimation, places the country’s wild elephant population at 22,446. Karnataka has the highest State-wise population, with about 6,013 elephants, followed by Assam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
India currently has 33 Elephant Reserves covering about 80,777 sq. km across 14 major elephant States, along with 150 identified elephant corridors. Singhbhum Elephant Reserve in Jharkhand, covering about 13,440 sq. km, is the largest Elephant Reserve in India. West Bengal has the highest number of identified elephant corridors, with 26.
Andhra Pradesh has one notified Elephant Reserve — Rayala Elephant Reserve. It covers approximately 766 sq. km in the Chittoor region and was notified in 2003. It includes the Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining forest areas. The elephant population of southern Andhra Pradesh developed largely through the movement of elephants from neighbouring Karnataka and Tamil Nadu into the Kuppam–Palamaner landscape.