Conceived in 2011 by Canadian filmmakers Patricia Sims and Michael Clark of Canazwest Pictures, and Sivaporn Dardarananda, Secretary-General of the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation in Thailand, it was officially founded, supported and launched by Patricia Sims and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation on August 12, 2012.

[1] Since that time, Patricia Sims continues to lead, support and direct World Elephant Day, which is now recognized and celebrated by over 100 wildlife organizations[2] and many individuals in countries across the globe.

[31][32][33] Poachers are often considered trained for this activity due to the amount of tools needed to be transported as well as the large size of these animals.

[34][35] The fragmentation of habitat also creates isolation – this makes breeding more difficult, and allows poachers to find the elephants and set traps more easily.

[42][43] Many notable celebrities have spoken out about the urgency of elephant protection, including Leonardo DiCaprio,[44] Kristin Davis,[45] William Shatner,[46] Yao Ming,[47] Prince William,[48] Jorja Fox,[49] Alec Baldwin,[50] Stephen Fry,[51] Ashley Judd,[52] Jada Pinkett Smith,[53] Kathryn Bigelow,[54] and politicians such as Barack Obama,[55] and Hillary and Chelsea Clinton.