It's hard to persuade an elephant to pose for the camera. They mostly do their own thing, in their own time. Especially if there are other distractions around - like mud, water and muddy water.

But then, on occasion, they will oblige. Today they have an ulterior motive. It is World Elephant Day. Apparently, they never forget it.

World Elephant Day was launched in 2012 to bring attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African elephants. There's a petition to sign, you can get involved and you can "like" all three species.

Elephants are the only surviving family of the order Proboscidea (think Jurassic Park, mastodons and woolly mammoths). Jai Dee, 2, and mum Pak Boon at Taronga Zoo would like to keep it that way.