Bhubaneswar: World Elephant Day was observed at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday with a number of awareness programmes, including elephant enrichment activities, a quiz, storytelling and felicitation of mahouts.
Aimed at promoting elephant conservation, the programme began with the four elephants at the zoo being bathed and decked up. Visitors and guests offered them fruits and other food items, including coconut, apples, bananas, watermelon, maize and sugarcane.
Zoo officials said Nandankanan is now home to four female elephants—two-year-old Lisa, three-year-old Asha, 28-year-old Hira and 62-year-old Basanti.
As part of the celebration, mahouts were felicitated for their contribution to the care and management of the elephants. A keepers’ talk was also organised, providing visitors and students an opportunity to learn more about elephant care, behaviour and conservation.
Another major highlight of the day was a quiz competition held for students from different schools and visitors. Participants who answered the questions correctly were felicitated, while good-performing mahouts were also honoured during the programme.
Several other activities were organised to mark the day, including a signature campaign, storytelling and origami sessions. A movie screening was also held at the zoo library and digital hub, besides a photo session with an elephant-themed frame.
The programmes were aimed at engaging visitors, students and wildlife enthusiasts and spreading awareness about the importance of protecting elephants and their habitats.
World Elephant Day is observed annually to raise awareness about elephant conservation and the challenges faced by the species. Nandankanan authorities have been organising various awareness activities involving visitors and wildlife enthusiasts as part of the observance.
