,type=downsize)
Animal conservation and protection has been a hot topic lately after the tragic and controversial death of Cecil the lion, so it makes sense that animal-loving celebrities would come out in droves to celebrate World Elephant Day on August 12. Everyone from Debra Messing and Chelsea Clinton to Ian Somerhalder and Kristin Davis have posted on social media about the special day encouraging others to help protect the elephants.
"SHOWING YOU MY TRUNK," Debra wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of her holding up a signed for 96elephants.org. "#WorldElephantDay #BeHerd."
Debra Messing encouraged others to join World Elephant Day Photo: Instagram/@DebraMessingSex and the City
star Kristin also made a call to action writing on her
, "Celebrate the #elephant today on #WorldElephantDay Let's all come together to protect them with The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. See what you can do." And Bill Clinton's daughter echoed the sentiment writing on her
, "Happy #WorldElephantDay! I hope you will #JoinTheSTAMPede with me and say no to ivory Wildlife Conservation Society #BeHerd."
Chelsea Clinton has spoken out about saying "no" to ivory Photo: Facebook/ChelseaClinton
The
Vampire Diaries
actor used his
Ian Somerhalder Foundation Twitter
to educate followers by posting a photo of an African and Asian elephant and asking if anyone could tell the difference along with the #WorldElephantDay.
Comedian Sarah Silverman even coined a new term for the day: an "elphie" referring to the picture of her holding her sister's baby holding an elephant teething ring. "Posting an #Elphie #WorldElephantDay #BeHerd #JoinTheSTAMPede #96Elephants," she wrote on Twitter.
While these celebs all posted about the charitable day, many others have been outspoken about the protection of elephants. Committed conservationist Prince William is doing his part to prevent unnecessary hunting in Africa by awarding a Kenyan ranger for his efforts against poachers. The royal announced that Edward Ndiritu, Head of the Anti-Poaching Unit for the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, is the first winner of the Wildlife Ranger Award on behalf of William's conservation charity, Tusk Trust.
GALLERY: CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR 7 PHOTOS OF STARS WITH ELEPHANTS
Prince William has long been a committed conservationist Photo: Getty ImagesLeonardo DiCaprio
's Foundation contributed $1 million to the Elephant Crisis Fund to support the cause of elimination of ivory poaching and trafficking. And Olivia Munn made a public plea to free a sick elephant named Sarah from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.