Nadankanan Zoological Park celebrates 'World Elephant Day', creates public awareness in Bhubaneswar

World Elephant Day was celebrated with much enthusiasm at Nandankanan Zoological Park and the Chandaka Godibari Kumara Khunti Elephant Training Centre on Tuesday, with various programmes organised to raise awareness about the protection of elephants and the need to conserve their habitats.

Elephants Fed With A Variety Of Foods

At Nandankanan, elephants were treated to an array of delicious foods, including coconut, watermelon, sugarcane, apple, puffed rice, and banana. The celebrations also included awareness messages aimed at stopping elephant–human conflict. In a separate programme, mahouts are set to be awarded for their service. Presently, Nandankanan is home to four elephants.

Awareness On Human-Elephant Conflict

As part of the day’s events, the zoological park authorities also conducted drawing and quiz competitions for school students, with the aim of making the public aware of the need to save elephant habitats, ensure their protection, and support population growth. Discussions included steps to conserve habitats, recognise elephant corridors, and protect elephants from hunters and poachers.

In Chandaka, the Godibari Kumara Khunti Elephant Shed houses eight tamed elephants, where World Elephant Day was also marked with fruit offerings and public awareness messages. Authorities shared details about the health and well-being of the elephants.

The celebrations underscored the growing importance of protecting elephants in the face of challenges such as habitat loss, poaching, and increasing conflict between humans and elephants.