Photo Story: World Elephant Day Raises Awareness of Preservation

Celebrated since 2012, the World Elephant Day is dedicated to the preservation and protection of elephants worldwide. It is aimed at raising awareness of the plight of African and Asian elephants, and looking into ways for the better care and management of captive and wild elephants.

Data provided by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature suggests African elephants' populations are estimated at 440,000 individuals for 2012, and Asian elephants are thought to have been around 40-50 000 at the same time.

Just a few decades ago, however, the numbers were much higher.

1 of 10 | August 12, 2015, Wednesday EPA/BGNES

Mahouts sit on top of elephants as they wait for tourists at the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace in the ancient historical city of Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, Thailand, August 11, 2015.

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