(Phil!)

Update: It’s just come onto our radar that March 13th is Thai Elephant Day! The holiday was made official in 1998 in hopes of returning attention to the Asian Elephant in Thailand, whose numbers have dwindled over the past century from 100,000 to an abominably low 3,500.

(Deforestation is currently the gentle giant’s biggest enemy.)

Children’s author Kirsten Hall visited Thailand two weeks ago in preparation for a story soon to print in Time for Kids Magazine. While there, she met, rode, bathed, and fed dozens of elephants. But one tiny fellow (relatively speaking, of course) stood heads above the rest when it came to grabbing her attention.

Meet Phil, a local hero and resident rascal at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp in Chaing Rai, Thailand. Whether he is tackling tires, stealing hoses, bolting from handlers, or just taking a luxurious post-bath roll in the dirt, he is the face of the next generation of Asian Elephants in Thailand—and there isn’t a face in the world that could steal your heart in a bigger way!

Check out the Facebook page Kirsten started upon her return from Thailand. Her goal is to raise more awareness by getting 500 page “likes” between now and March 13th! And as if helping the cause isn’t enough incentive, famed jewelry designer Knight&Hammer (whose masterpieces can be found in top stores such as Barneys New York, Takashimaya, Stanley Korshak, Colette, and 10 Corso Como) is donating a $450 steel and 1/2 carat diamond bracelet to the 500th person to like her page!

How ele-fantastic is this?

Also, here are a few pix of Phil and a brand new ring that just debuted today, designed by Knight&Hammer based on the likeness of—who else?—Phil! 🙂

~

My name is Kirsten Hall and I am a children’s book author. If you’re interested, here is my Amazon page for reference.

I was over in Thailand a few weeks ago and had the best time! I am actually writing a cover story for the kids edition of Time Magazine, to run in their March 25th issue about Thai Elephant Day—a day that Thailand sets aside every year to honor this amazing animal.

While I was over there I fell madly in love with all of the elephants, but especially one named Phil. He was such a rascal!

Anyway, I have started a Friends of Phil Facebook page to raise awareness before March 13th. I am looking to get 500 “likes” between now and then! And an amazing jeweler has offered a diamond bracelet to the 500th “like” we get!

As if there isn’t already enough incentive to “like” this page, we just got news from Anatara Elephant Camp that Phil will get a favorite treat for each “like” we get between now and March 13th’s Thai Elephant Day buffet celebration! (And we’ll even get to see pix of him enjoying them!)

Please, help me and send Phil some love by spreading the word!

Very best wishes!
Kirsten Hall

(Phil and Mom)

Kirsten Hall is the author of more than 140 published books, most for children. She has written for a wide range of clients including Scholastic, Barnes & Noble, Reader’s Digest, Random House, HarperCollins, and now Time for Kids. She is also the U.S. Agent for The Bright Group International, a leading illustration and children’s content agency based in London. Finally, and most importantly, she is Mom to two fantastic (and Phil-like) little rascals.