Bhubaneswar: Nandankanan Zoological Park celebrated World Elephant Day 2026 with a series of engaging activities promoting elephant conservation, welfare and public awareness. The programme was graced by Tapan Chakravarty, Sarpanch, Daruthenga, Khulana Majhi, Sarpanch, Raghunathpur and Pradeep Mirase, Deputy Director, Nandankanan Zoological Park.
The celebration began with a special feeding enrichment activity for elephants, where elephants Basanti, Hira, Asha and Lisha received nutritious fruit treats designed to encourage natural feeding behaviour. The zoo’s dedicated mahouts were also felicitated for their invaluable contribution to elephant care and management. A Keepers’ Talk, on-the-spot quiz and Signature Campaign engaged visitors and students, highlighting elephant behaviour, welfare and conservation.
The Zoo Library & Digital Hub hosted storytelling, acts by school kids as Asian and African elephant, elephant origami and a movie screening on elephant conservation along with hand painting with elephant pictures while a special Elephant Frame photo session added a fun and memorable touch to the celebration. At the end the school students were given a tour of the elephant enclosure from the viewers’ side to observe the elephants and understand their biology, care and management in ex-situ conservation.
Through these activities, Nandankanan reaffirmed its commitment to elephant welfare, conservation education and inspiring people to protect elephants and their habitats.
