Oakridge Students Commemorate World Elephant Day!

We all love Elephants – the biggest mammals on the Earth. To celebrate their majestic beauty and to create awareness about their habitat and future, students of Oakridge International School, Visakhapatnam celebrated the World Elephant Day on 12th August. Dr Nandani Salaria IFS, Zoo Curator, Indira Gandhi National Zoo, Visakhapatnam graced the occasion as a special guest. 

Dr Nandani informed the audience that escalation of poaching, habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, and mistreatment in captivity are just some of the threats to both African and Asian elephants. Working towards better protection for wild elephants, improving enforcement policies to prevent the illegal poaching and trade of ivory, conserving elephant habitats, better treatment for captive elephants and, when appropriate, reintroducing captive elephants into natural, protected sanctuaries are the goals that numerous elephant conservation organizations are focusing on around the world. She also narrated the story of how the four elephants at Vizag Zoo were rescued from adverse situations outside. 

“Do not buy and discourage others as well from buying ivory-based products. Be Elephant Ethical”, urged Shaila Bhamidipati, Principal, Oakridge International School, Visakhapatnam. 

To help elephants be in non-exploitive and sustainable environments where elephants can thrive under care and protection, Oakridgers decided to contribute to adopting the elephant Lakshmi at Indira Gandhi National Zoo, Visakhapatnam. 

Let’s all support World Elephant Day so that we can continue to be a collective voice speaking out on behalf of our regal friends – Elephants!