ABOUT THE EVENT

August is Asian Elephant Awareness Month and the Oklahoma City Zoo is proud to partner with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and International Elephant Conservation partners to bring attention to these beloved and endangered animals. The goal of this global movement is to raise awareness of the plight Asian elephants are facing, and inspire the public to take action for elephant conservation through a social media campaign, #AsianElephantAwarenessMonth. Asian Elephant Awareness Month continues to build momentum with over 40 million wildlife fans showing their support for Asian elephants by posting photos and messages on social media since 2019. Share your love for elephants on social and join those being “herd” with #AsianElephantAwarenessMonth and remember to tag @okczoo. In addition to caring for a multi-generational herd of eight Asian elephants, the OKC Zoo strives to conserve Asian elephants and their habitat through its global partnerships. Asian elephants are endangered, facing unique challenges that threaten the species’ survival. Asian elephant populations in the wild have fallen below 40,000. The 13 nations that make up the natural habitat of Asian elephants contain the densest human population on the planet and, as a result, vital habitat for elephants has been reduced by 85% in 40 years. Furthermore, Asian elephants are much more susceptible than African elephants to EEHV, a fast-moving virus with a 60% fatality rate. Closer to home, Oklahomans can also support Asian elephant conservation this August through these events:

• • OKC Zoo and Capitals Ice Cream Partnering for Elephant Conservation / August 1 through 31: The Oklahoma City Zoo and Capitals Ice Cream are paring up for a wild cause, elephant conservation. Here’s the scoop! From Tuesday, August 1 through Thursday, August 31, purchase Capitals’ signature ice cream flavor, “Strawberry Banelephant” and they will donate 10% of each sale to the OKC Zoo’s Asian elephant conservation program. Customers that purchase “Strawberry Banelephant” also have the opportunity to enter to win an OKC Zoo Asian elephant Wild Encounter experience good for four people plus general Zoo admission. Entries must be made in-person at Capitals and the drawing will be held on September 4. Capitals Ice Cream is located in Midtown OKC at 1006 N. Hudson Avenue, Sweet #100. For store hours visit, www.capitalsicecream.com.

• World Elephant Day Celebration Presented by Bob Moore Subaru / Saturday, August 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: This World Elephant Day, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Bob Moore Subaru invite you to celebrate elephants in a big way. Learn more about the OKC Zoo’s Asian elephants and how you can help protect their counterparts in the wild. Guest will also enjoy family-friendly activities, caretaker chats, animal enrichment, an elephant presentation at 2 p.m. and more–all happening at the Zoo’s elephant habitat at Sanctuary Asia. This event is free with Zoo admission.