World fetes elephants amid poaching crisis in Kenya

Local tourists get a glimpse of elephants drinking water at Sarova Salt Lick Lodge in Taita Taveta County. [PHOTO: MAARUFU MOHAMED /STANDARD]

NAIROBI: Wednesday, millions of animal lovers around the world will be raising a cheer for nature's biggest land animal, the elephant. But as Kenya joins other countries in marking World Elephants Day, the animals are under more threat from poaching and habitat loss than ever.

"At a time when there is plenty to worry about with regard to elephants, the World Elephant Day marked today is one of those days that gives everyone a chance to celebrate everything that is so wonderful about these incredible creatures and what is being done to protect them," said International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Southern Africa Director Jason Bell.