Milwaukee County Zoo celebrating World Elephant Day on Friday

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The Milwaukee County Zoo is celebrating World Elephant Day on Friday with a range of activities.

The celebrations begin at 10:30 a.m. and will continue until 2:30 p.m. There will be an open house at the Elephant Care Center, snacks, artwork and an opportunity to see the elephants up close and person.

The zoo has two African elephants, Ruth and Brittany. Both elephants are 38-years-old.

"They're just so big! I love elephants," 6-year-old Ashlin Lamack said. 

The goal of World Elephant Day is to promote conservation and knowledge of the animals. According to the zoo, elephant numbers have dropped nearly 62 percent in the last decade.

“We want to bring this to people locally, to see these animals up close, to maybe get an appreciation for them, maybe take some steps to conserving them in the wild,” Public Relations Coordinator Jenny Diliberti said. “Some appreciation, so people can learn and have fun, but then maybe go home and think, what can I do for these animals?”

More information on World Elephant Day can be found on the Milwaukee County Zoo’s website.