'The Elephant Whisperers' won Oscar on National Elephant Day

National Elephant Day is celebrated on March 13 every year since 1998. 

This date is selected to mark the day because, on March 13, 1963, the Royal Forest Department declared the white elephant as the national animal of Thailand. 

Celebrating this day has three purposes...

1. Mark significance of elephants to Thailand.

2. To demonstrate how Thai culture depends on elephants.

3. Promotes awareness about protecting and conserving the Thai elephant population.