Elephants are an integral part of South Asian weddings, especially Hindu weddings. From our beloved Lord Ganesha, a Hindu god with the head of an elephant, to the baraat, elephants are part of the South Asian culture.
Elephants are also an unwitting victim in the ivory trade. An elephant is killed every 15 minutes somewhere in the world for its ivory. China consumes 70% of the world’s trade of tusks. And zero percent of those elephants survive.
Hundreds of volunteers, including these Big Life Foundation rangers, are desperately trying to save what little we have left.
Thousands of baby elephants are orphans because their mothers are murdered for their tusks.
Today is World Elephant Day. Do your part to skip the usage of ivory at your wedding. Or even skip the elephant (unless you know where and how the elephant is treated). Spread the message. Donate to one of the many organizations saving both Asian and African elephants.
Whatever you do, just remember that every 15 minutes an elephant dies. There are less than 350,000 African and Asian elephants left in the world. By 2025, there will be none left.
Where to get more information:
Big Life Foundation
IWorry
What a great article to share and raise awareness! This would be a great charity to contribute to in lieu of gifts.
What a great article to share and raise awareness! This would be a great charity to contribute to in lieu of gifts.