Twycross Zoo is celebrating all things elephants this weekend as it raises awareness of the issues threatening these iconic species in the wild.
The popular zoo will be celebrating World Elephant Day on Saturday and Sunday, August 12 to 13 with an initiative connecting individuals and organisations around the world.
During the two days, visitors to the zoo will have access to multiple elephant-themed activities and games, as well as a chance to enter a prize draw to win a family ticket to the attraction.
Twycross Zoo has four female Asian elephants, and in the naturalistic Elephant Creek visitors can see how elephants form herds that are led by the oldest and largest female, called the matriarch. At the zoo this is Mimbu’s role and she is often seen to be taking care for the others in her family herd and making decisions for the group.
On the other hand, the youngest of the group, three-year old Esha, is the most playful elephant and is always keen to use her trunk in exploration.
Visitors can learn more details about each of the elephants at the zoo from daily keeper’s talks at 11.15am. On the two days there will be further information about the elephants from 10am to 5pm including activities and talks at the Lorikeet Lawn or in the Elephant Pagoda.
There is also an opportunity to adopt an elephant or make a pledge to help learn about and protect the endangered species.
Miguel Bueno, curator of Living Collections, said: "Our Ele-Celebrations aim to highlight the plight of elephants and raise awareness about these endangered species. The threat to elephants is a global issue and we need to cooperate across countries to encourage their conservation.
"The loss of elephants as a species would have drastic effects on our natural world. Although many people admire elephants, few know about their importance in helping maintain the ecosystems in forests and grasslands. Ele-Celebrations at Twycross Zoo provides a fun and entertaining day out at the zoo, while educating our visitors about the role of elephants in the world and showing them why they should care about these animals."
Asian elephants, one of the two surviving species, range across 13 countries in the wild, but in the last 50 years their habitat has shrunk by more than 70 per cent and there are now less than 40,000 remaining individuals worldwide.
Asia is the world’s most densely populated continent and the remaining Asian elephant population is shrinking fast due to multiple human threats, which include human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss due to agriculture and development. Illegal poaching also threatens this endangered species because elephant tusks are highly sought after in the illegal ivory trade.
Twycross Zoo is open to the public from 10am to 6pm and more information is available by calling 0844 4741777 or visiting www.twycrosszoo.org .
