Bhubaneswar: Nandankanan Zoological Park observed World Elephant Day 2026 with a series of activities aimed at promoting elephant conservation, welfare and public awareness.
The programme was attended by Tapan Chakravarty, Sarpanch of Daruthenga, Khulana Majhi, Sarpanch of Raghunathpur, and Pradeep Mirase, Deputy Director of Nandankanan Zoological Park.
As part of the celebration, elephants Basanti, Hira, Asha and Lisha were given fruit treats during a special feeding enrichment activity. The activity was designed to encourage natural feeding behaviour among the elephants.
The zoo also felicitated its mahouts for their contribution to elephant care and management. A Keepers’ Talk, an on-the-spot quiz and a signature campaign were organised for visitors and students, with the activities focusing on elephant behaviour, welfare and conservation.
The Zoo Library and Digital Hub hosted several activities, including storytelling, performances by schoolchildren dressed as Asian and African elephants, elephant origami, a screening of a film on elephant conservation and hand-painting activities featuring elephant themes.
A special Elephant Frame photo session was also organised for visitors.
The participating school students were later taken to the viewing area of the elephant enclosure, where they observed the animals and learned about their biology, care and management as part of ex-situ conservation.
The World Elephant Day activities were aimed at strengthening conservation awareness among visitors and students and encouraging greater understanding of elephant welfare and the need to protect elephants and their habitats.
