In case you missed it today, 12 August is also known as World Elephant day.

Since 2011, this day has been set aside by many around the world to “spread awareness, share knowledge and provide solutions for better care and management of both captive and wild elephants”.

The world Elephant Day website explains that the animals face numerous challenges that include poaching, loss of their habitats, exploitation and abuse.

The Wildlife Conservation Society points out that ivory trafficking and poaching kill 35,000 African elephants every year.

"Ivory and rhino horn, derived from the illegal killing of elephants and rhinos in Africa and Asia, are typically trafficked by transnational organized crime syndicates across the world,” said Christian Samper, president and CEO of the WCS.

Throughout many today people, including celebrities, have taken to social media in efforts to raise awareness about the plight of some of their favourite and most endangered animals.

This guy just wants to say "hey".

They are known to be playful creatures.

Ricky Gervais is a well-known animal activist:

Ian Somerhalder is an avid animal lover and uses his foundation to fight for animals rights, includes those for elephants.

Look at how cute this guy is with his buddies!

And we could never forget this epic elephant pool party: