At The Sanctuary, we believe elephants are wild animals with complex physical and social needs not supported by the training, performing, confinement and travel demanded of elephants in entertainment.
A shift in attitude regarding the use of elephants in performance has led to tighter measures protecting elephants. To date, four states and more than 135 other localities in 37 states have passed various restrictions governing the use of wild animals in circuses and traveling shows. These changes are due in part to individuals like you speaking up, writing their elected representatives, and educating their friends and family.
Lend your voice—it counts.
Across the globe, elephants are facing unprecedented threats. In an effort to increase understanding of and support for conservation efforts to protect elephants in the wild, The Sanctuary collaborates with and supports international organizations on four continents: Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America.
Thanks to the incredible work being done by caring individuals and organizations worldwide, huge strides have been made in the past year to improve captive elephants’ welfare and protect wild elephants from poaching, human-elephant conflict, and habitat degradation.
The Elephant Sanctuary is celebrating World Wildlife Day—Friday, March 3—by honoring this important work, and asking you to continue to raise your voice, and speak out for those that can’t speak for themselves.
A timeline of efforts and decisions that affected elephants in the past year:
- January 2018: China’s ban on the domestic sale and processing of ivory and its products takes effect
- January 2018: Hong Kong announces major ivory market will close by the end of 2021.
- December 19, 2017: The Pittsburgh City Council (Pennsylvania) passed a bill that will outlaw certain tools used for training or controlling wild animals, including bullhooks, electric prods, whips, or other instruments capable of "inflicting pain, intimidating or threatening pain."
- December 4, 2017: Instagram launches alert system to prevent animal abuse and animal selfies
- November 9, 2017: Ireland will no longer allow the use of wild animals in circuses starting in 2018.
- November 6, 2017: Windsor, Ontario (Canada) bans animal acts.
- September 19, 2017: Portland, Maine bans use of exotic animals in performances
- August 3, 2017: New York destroys $8 million of ivory in Central Park
- August 2017: Illinois becomes the first state to prohibit the use of elephants in traveling shows, including circuses.
- June 2017: Romanian Parliament passed a bill to ban wild animals from circuses.
- June 2017: Online travel company Expedia will be removing bookable wildlife tours and activities that pose a threat to animal welfare.
- On June 21, 2017: New York City Council passed a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses by a 43-6 vote.
- May 21, 2017: The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performed last show.
- April 25, 2017: Los Angeles bans use of wild animals for entertainment
- April 21, 2017: Officials in Borneo cancelled plans to build a bridge over the Kinabatangan river after warnings from Sir David Attenborough that it would gravely endanger pygmy elephants and many other jungle species.
- January 2017: Botswana, Africa bans elephant-back rides.
Small actions can have big impacts! #DoOneThingToday that can help with wildlife conservation – get informed, consume responsibly, volunteer, donate, or simply post about what #WorldWildlifeDay means to you. Need more ideas? Visit www.elephants.com/take-action.