Bhubaneswar, Odisha: Nandankanan Zoological Park enthusiastically joined the global community today in celebrating World Elephant Day, with widespread public participation and engaging activities designed to raise awareness about elephant conservation. The event underscored the ecological importance of elephants and highlighted the numerous challenges these gentle giants face in the wild, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
At the heart of the celebration were the park’s four resident elephants: Basanti, aged 61 years; Heera, 27 years old; and the playful young calves Asha and Lisha, both nearing two years of age. To mark the occasion, a special fruit feast and dietary enrichment were arranged, delighting visitors and emphasizing the park’s commitment to the well-being of these majestic animals.
Nandankanan Zoological Park has been a guardian of elephants since 1972, playing a crucial role in the rescue, rehabilitation, and management of elephants across Odisha. Among the park’s most inspiring success stories is that of Asha, a three-month-old calf who was rescued with a severe forelimb injury. After months of dedicated treatment and care, Asha made a full recovery, becoming a beacon of hope and resilience for elephant conservation in the region.
The World Elephant Day celebrations also included educational sessions led by zoo educators and keepers, who shared insights into the natural history of Asian elephants, the threats they face from habitat degradation and poaching, and the importance of fostering coexistence between humans and elephants. Interactive activities such as quiz contests, origami workshops, and storytelling sessions actively engaged schoolchildren, inspiring the younger generation to become future ambassadors of wildlife conservation.
The event was graced by Sri Bikash Ranjan Dash, Chief Conservator of Forests, O/o PCCF (WL), along with esteemed members of the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Society of Odisha (NWCSO) and 30 enthusiastic school students. Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit essential to successful conservation efforts.
The celebration concluded with a collective pledge to protect elephants and their natural habitats. Nandankanan Zoological Park reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the care, conservation, and protection of Odisha’s rich wildlife heritage, emphasizing the ongoing need to safeguard these magnificent creatures for generations to come.
