August 8

International Moon Bear Day

International Moon Bear Day is celebrated every year on August 8 to raise global awareness about the vulnerable Asiatic Black Bear. The day focuses heavily on protecting these animals from threats like habitat loss and ending the cruel practice of bear bile farming. These bears get their unique name from the distinct, beautiful crescent of white or cream fur across their chests.

August 10

World Lion Day

World Lion Day was founded in 2013 by Derek and Beverly Joubert to raise awareness about the challenges these great animals face in the wild. Lions used to roam large swathes of Africa, as well as parts of Asia and Europe. But now lions have disappeared from over 90% of their historic range. There are thought to be as few as 23,000 lions left in the wild today.

August 12

World Elephant Day

Launched in 2012, World Elephant Day shines a spotlight on the plight of both Asian and African Elephants. Human exploitation continues to be the most significant threat to their survival. African elephants are poached for the illegal ivory trade, while Asian elephant populations are threatened by habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, and the tourism and entertainment industries.

August 13

International Wolf Day

International Wolf Day highlights the critical role wolves play in the habitats they occupy, and how solutions can be found to coexist with these magnificent animals. Today there are two widely recognized species (the Red and Gray), and close to 40 subspecies, but wolves continue to be threatened by conflict with humans, intolerance, and the loss of habitat and legal protections.

August 17

National Honey Bee Day

National Honey Bee Day, celebrated on the third Saturday in August every year, is a day of awareness when beekeepers, beekeeping clubs, and honey bee enthusiasts from across the US come together to recognize the role of this critical species in our everyday lives. Honey bees are pollinators, responsible for a large portion of the foods we like to eat every day.

August 19

International Orangutan Day

Orangutans used to live in many different parts of South East Asia, but today they are left with few options. In Borneo and Sumatra, their last stronghold, the rainforests are disappearing to make room for farmland, palm oil plantations and urban development. Clear cutting, forest fires and hunting are reducing orangutan numbers to alarmingly low levels.

August 26

World Painted Dog Day

In honor of these unique and fascinating animals, the world commemorates World Painted Dog Day on August 26 each year. Also known as African Wild Dogs, Painted Dogs are the largest wild canids in Africa, and one of the world’s most endangered mammals. Years ago, perhaps as many as 500,000 individuals roamed the African continent. Today that number has dropped to about 6,600.

August 30

International Whale Shark Day

The Whale Shark is the largest of all fishes, but despite its size, it is one of the most vulnerable species in the ocean according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Populations are declining as a result of bycatch losses, impacts of fisheries, demand for oil and meat, vessel strikes, habitat loss and climate change.