World Elephant Day Busch Gardens Style

Like any other international event involving animals, Busch Gardens will be celebrating World Elephant Day on Saturday, Aug 9th. World Elephant Day is an international annual event that is officially celebrated on Aug 12th and is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the world's elephants. It was officially founded, supported, launched, and currently directed by Patricia Sims and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation on August 12, 2012. In two years it is supported by over 65 wildlife organizations.


The Sea World and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund has granted more than $10 million dollars to over 70 projects around the world, which includes 10 elephant conservation projects in Asia and Africa in 2013 and 2014. With the current estimated population of the African elephants around 400,000 and listed as "Vulnerable" and the Asian elephants around 40,000 and considered "endangered" by the IUCN Red List, such efforts by Busch Gardens and other wildlife organizations are vital to the preservation of the elephants.


On August 9, Busch Gardens Tampa will have activities and interactive displays in the Animal Care Center from 9:30am - 5:00pm. While there, you will be able to hear the trainers talk and will learn how the animal care team cares for their beloved elephants living in the park. You will even be able to help create enrichment activities for the elephants.

There is also an opportunity for 160 guests to take a behind the scene tour of the "Pachyderm Palace" starting at 10:00am. This is a 20 minute tour of the area where the elephants go during inclement weather or while the environment is getting cleaned. Meet team members at the front of the park at opening to get tickets or register at the Animal Care Center for any openings that may be left later in the day. I would show up early, the tickets will be going fast.

Lastly, and the most exciting is the 2 hour "Evening With the Elephants" at 7:00pm. Go behind the scenes to the elephant pool as trainers engage the elephants and share stories about the care of these amazing pachyderms. Included in this tour are appetizers, Coca-Cola products and a "Pink Elephant" specialty drink. This unique evening is $69. Yes, your passmember discounts do apply to this event. There is limited spaces for this evening and sure to be sold out soon, so be certain to purchase your tickets early to reserve your seating for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

World Elephant day is a special event and what better way to spend it than at Busch Gardens. Unable to make it? You can still donate to the Sea World and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund and help make a difference in the future of these pachyderms. In the park, go to guest services and have your passmember card or funpass upgraded to a hard plastic card for a small fee with all proceeds going to the conservation fund.


Keep up to date with happenings at Busch Gardens, live tweets in the park, and my first-hand review of Falcon's Fury when it launches. Be sure to follow me on twitter at @TampaAmazeMe or email me at tampathrillme@gmail.com for any questions about the park. I will do my best to answer or find an answer for you.

David "Thrills"

Note: The facts mentioned in this article were repeated with compliments to Wikipedia, Busch Gardens, and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation.