World Elephant Day


Friday, August 12 is World Elephant Day – a day to “bring the world together to help elephants.”


This year, The Elephant Sanctuary is excited to announce that the United States Postal Service’s First Day of Issue Dedication Ceremony for the new Forever Stamp titled Elephants, will take place at The Elephant Discovery Center in Hohenwald, Tennessee, on World Elephant Day. The First Day of Issue event for the Forever stamp is free and open to the public; all are welcome! We encourage you to RSVP at: usps.com/elephants.

In addition, family-friendly events and activities will follow throughout the weekend, in-person at The Discovery Center and virtual for our supporters across the globe! We can't wait to put a stamp on elephant conservation this World Elephant Day! 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 

Friday, August 12

9 a.m.  

Elephant Discovery Center Opens

11 a.m.  

USPS First Day of Issue Ceremony for Elephants

12 p.m.   

Explore Elephant Discovery Center and shop Elephant Postcard Pack + Stamp Book to commemorate the ceremony

2 p.m.  

International Partner Highlight — The Sanctuary Helps Put A Stamp on Conservation Around the Globe: Interview with Caitlin O'Connell debuts online!

3 p.m.  

International Partner Highlight — The Sanctuary Helps Put A Stamp on Conservation Around the Globe: Screening of The Elephant King movie in The Sanctuary Theatre


Saturday, August 13

9 a.m. 

Elephant Discovery Center Opens

All Day

Create an Elephant "Stamp": Make a track rubbing of an elephant's footprint in the Outdoor Classroom

All Day

Stamp Out the Landfill — EleCraft: Make a recycled elephant mask — don’t forget to recycle your extra paper products! A tutorial will also be posted online for virtual supporters.

11 a.m.   

International Partner Highlight — The Sanctuary Helps Put A Stamp on Conservation Around the Globe: Screening of The Elephant King movie in The Sanctuary Theatre 

1 p.m.  

Put Your Stamp on The Sanctuary: Create enrichment for the elephants that live here at The Elephant Sanctuary

*Times are subject to change

Ongoing Activities All Weekend Long

Put Your Stamp on World Elephant Day: Make a handprint pledge to take action for elephants on the Outdoor Classroom pledge wall (or via our Take Action page).

Put Your Stamp on Conservation — Letter Writing Station: Use a stamp to write a letter to an organization, family member, or group teaching them about palm oil or thanking them for using sustainably sourced palm oil! Then drop it in the mailbox at the Discovery Center's Letter Writing Station. Sample letters will also be provided via EleNote for anyone to participate from home.

Earn A Stamp — Scavenger Hunt: An activity passport will be provided for Discovery Center guests to earn ink stamps throughout the two-day event for participating in as many activities as possible, with opportunities for prizes. If you're tuning in from afar, we invite you to use our EleCam Scavenger Hunt to spot Sanctuary residents exhibiting natural elephant behaviors in their own habitats via live-streaming EleCams, and cross off or "stamp" as many as you can find!

Buy A Stamp: The Elephants Forever Stamp will be available for purchase in a bundle with our elephant postcards, both on-site and online. The stamp can also be purchased at your local post office. Pre-order now! (Orders will ship after August 12th)


The Elephant Discovery Center will be open to visitors 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Virtual activities will be posted via social media on Friday, so make sure to follow us to see all the latest happenings!

The elephants' habitats are closed to the public. Visitors to The Discovery Center and First Day of Issue Dedication Ceremony attendees will not see or interact with elephants.



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The Elephant Sanctuary is working to provide a safe haven where elephants can retire with dignity, roam free in a natural habitat, and receive a lifetime of individualized care. A gift of any amount makes a difference in the lives of elephants.

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